Cardiff Blues can’t dwell on their recent results as they look to get their campaign back on track, insists Olly Robinson.
John Mulvihill’s men will be looking to bounce back from three consecutive defeat when they welcome Benetton Rugby to Rodney Parade on Monday.
Robinson admits it’s been an honest week in camp, as they look to right the wrongs from last week’s loss at Edinburgh, but the side are excited at the opportunity to prove a point against the Italian outfit.
“We feel like in some aspects of our performance, we’ve brought character but unfortunately that isn’t going to win us matches on its own,” said the back row.
“We’re looking to show some real big improvements this Monday and hopefully get the win.
“If you look at every game, there are pivotal moments that we’ve lost during the last three games, after winning the first two games.
“We had four good performances but let ourselves down last Monday at Edinburgh. But it’s really not far away for us and that’s the thing with sports.
“There’s always going to be a winner and a loser. You’re never as good as you think you are, you’re never as bad as you think you are.
“We just need to stay level-headed, stick with it and hopefully we can put in a better performance this weekend.
“We’ve had some pretty stark meetings this week and we have to individually take responsibility for our own performances and our own actions.
“Unfortunately there’s nothing we can do now about last Monday, but the beauty of sports is that you get another chance the week after to make things right and that’s something we really have to do this weekend.
“Benetton are a really good side who have made the play-offs very recently. They’ve had a bit of trouble over the last few weeks, but sometimes that can only make you stronger as a team by having a bit of adversity.
“They’ve been off with Covid, and will be well-rested, and they’re a good side with good players.
“Every time we play them it turns into a really good game and hopefully it will be good for the fans to watch.
“But we’re looking to go out, put a performance in and that means we can come out on the right side of the result.
“It’s been evident that some of our performances with the ball haven’t been exactly where we want them to be.
“We’ve defended well, but we’ve put ourselves under pressure and therefore had to do a lot of defending, and that’s not sustainable.
“We’re looking to get better and sometimes that takes having a chat about it. There’s also been a lot of work been put in on the training field.”
While being an out-and-out openside, Robinson has also featured at number eight in recent weeks, offering himself as a versatile option in a competitive back row unit.
Robinson admits he’s happy to slot in where he’s needed and says he appreciated the welcome he’s received at the capital since arriving from Bristol in 2017.
The former England under-18 international added: “I’m just desperate to be out on the pitch as much as I can. We’ve got such great back row options here, it’s fun to try something different and I really enjoyed it.
“It’s always good to try and push yourself and give yourself as many skills as possible.
“If asked, I’d do it again. I see myself as a seven, and I think the way I play is like that, but with the way rugby is at the moment, you can slot in anywhere across the back row.
“It’s been brilliant here at Cardiff Blues. The way people have embraced me has been awesome.
“My family have always commented when they’ve come to watch about the welcome they’ve had.
“It’s a really rugby-loving and fun atmosphere for them to come to watch and they’ve been included in every game they’ve come to.
“That’s great, and I can’t wait for them to be able to come over again and enjoy the same hospitality again, as soon as we can.”