A highly efficient centre who made very few mistakes, Mark Robinson brought a critical calming influence to the Crusaders environment when he joined in 2000, having served an accomplished provincial apprenticeship representing Wellington (4 games, 1994-95) and Taranaki (18 games, 1997-98). The Stratford-born midfielder, who twice appeared in the annual Oxford versus Cambridge University match (playing for Cambridge) during his time as a student in the United Kingdom, won a title at his first attempt as a Super rugby player, keeping Australian star Stirling Mortlock quiet as the Crusaders successfully raided Canberra Stadium in 2000. He was to the fore again in 2002 during the unbeaten Crusade, with that performance winning him an All Black recall after Robinson had first appeared for his country in 2000.