The Prenter Report #31

Scotland is in debt to the Australian World Cup selectors.

The Scots have reaped the benefit of Australia having to omit one of the form players of the 2008 NRL season due to a galaxy of wing three-quarter stars.

Manly’s Michael Robertson missed out on the Australian squad by no more than a David Williams whisker.

Three tries in the grand final against Melbourne weren’t enough to sway the selectors but how they must have agonised on putting the red pencil through the name-Robertson.

Not to be denied, Robertson, born in Wellington, NSW in 1983, immediately declared himself available for Scotland under “the grandparents’ rule.”

Williams, with the Santa Claus beard in the grand final, found himself to be the preferred Manly candidate for a wing spot, minus the beard.

What a jackpot for Scotland!

Here they have one of the most gifted and, indeed, durable players in the world on the end of their backline.

When did Michael Robertson last miss a game? Elephants please step forward.

He can sniff out a try with the verve of drug snooping hound at Hobart airport.

And give him a hefty slap on the back for declaring his availability for Scotland.

Michael the Braveheart!