Eye injury forces Wallaby prop into retirement
The 31-year-old recently underwent surgery to repair his vision, after he was accidentally poked in his right eye while playing Super Rugby for the Waratahs against the Brumbies in April.
But after initially thinking the injury was not serious and he could resume playing, doctors advised Robinson to quit.
Robinson's eye injury caused blood cells to appear in the anterior chamber, or front of the lens, of the eye; a condition called microscopic hyphema.
His progress was further complicated by an increase in pressure within the eye and a tear to the retina, for which he underwent surgery.
Whilst Robinson is expected to regain full sight, he has been advised that the risk to his eye is too great to continue his career in rugby.
He promptly announced his decision on Tuesday through the Australian Rugby Union and the Waratahs.
Current Wallaby coach Michael Cheika said Robinson's contribution to the game in Australia would be felt for years to come.
"Every player who has the honour of playing for the Wallabies has a responsibility to leave their own special mark on the jersey for the next generation to shape and build on, which Benn has certainly done," Cheika said.
"He should be incredibly proud of what he achieved in his career, and excited about what lies ahead."
Robinson's former teammates also paid tribute to his achievements.
"He's probably a little upset that his time is ending a little prematurely," said former Wallaby and Waratahs colleague Adam Ashley-Cooper, now playing with French Top 14 with Bordeaux.
"But that's football and life and every rugby player can attest to it being a bit cruel sometimes.
"I have no doubt that he will get through it and come out to be successful on the other side."
NSW captain Dave Dennis said Robinson would be sorely missed by the Waratahs.
"As a playing group we are all disappointed for Benn, having to end his career as a result of his eye injury," Dennis said.
"Benn has been the cornerstone of our scrum for over a decade and has been a loyal servant in the Waratahs jersey."
A powerful loosehead prop and scrummager, Robinson made his Wallabies debut against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006 and played his last Test in 2014 against England at Twickenham.
His 72 caps are the second most accumulated by an Australian prop.
He also made 148 Super rugby appearances, a record for the Waratahs, and was a key member of the team that won the tournament in 2014.
Robinson has shown incredible resilience through his career to rebound from a series of injuries, epitomising his passion for the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
In 2011, he attempted an unlikely comeback from a serious knee injury in a bid to feature in Australia's World Cup campaign.
After starting his rugby journey at Beecroft Junior club, he played in Sydney's The Kings School First XV, ultimately called up for the Australian Schoolboys in 2002, his first taste of national representation.
The Glenorie-born prop went on to represent Australia in the Under-21 World Championships, playing every match for his country in that tournament.
Robinson's clear love for the game has endeared him to Waratahs and Wallabies fans alike, with the Australian public voting him the people's choice Wallaby of the Year at the 2009 John Eales Medal.
The esteem in which he is held at Super Rugby level was shown when he temporarily stepped up to the Waratahs captaincy in 2012.
Robinson has been a stabilising force in what has turned to be his final season at the Waratahs, though injuries curtailed his influence on the field for much of the year.
The experienced prop has been a mentor to the next generation of NSW scrummagers and a favourite of many fans.