JEFF the “One Eyed” Reff!

David Sandles presented the Canada Cap to the Evergreens Rugby Club on October 15, 2023

This Cap, awarded to GEOFF ROBINSON for his inclusion, as hooker, in the Canadian National Rugby team that played the British and Irish Lions in 1966, has been donated by the family of his late wife Helen Bacho and his good friend Wayne Hoskins, of Evergreens touring fame.

Geoff (or Jeff) died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s in 2019. He wore the cap many times during his hospitalization, as the game was one of his proudest achievements. Coming from a top-class rugby background, the Gloucester Cherries and teams in Rhodesia, he ended up in Montreal where his hard-nosed play was noticed by Canada.

The Lions were returning from NZ and Aus. after playing 33 games down under in four and a half months, for a final two games, in Canada, on their way home. Beaten by BC in Vancouver, they beat the Canadian team 4 tries to 2 in Toronto. Famous (or infamous) names such as Jim Telfer, Mike Gibson and the captain Willie John McBride were included on the Lions team that day. Notable Evergreens on that Canadian team were Barry Burnham and Dave Milne.

Geoff soon moved to Vancouver where he was more involved in coaching and refereeing (yes with the one eye) High School in East van. This was despite living in the West End and having to cycle everywhere due to not being allowed to drive. He did ref some 3rd div and I remember it being useful knowing which eye it was. The usual “are you blind ref” was met with “only in one eye and that one saw what you did”. He had 2 sons who played for Scribes. His own playing career finished with some old boys teams. Not sure if he ever paid dues but he did play for Snowcaps, tour down under with the Legends and proudly wore an Evergreens jacket which he purloined from his friend Alain Peronetti. He was also a founding member of the East Side Gentlemen.

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