Robbie is Scotland the brave
THE journey to Australia for some was long enough but Robbie Fergusson has travelled further than anyone.
The 24-year-old will run out for Scotland rugby sevens tomorrow as a late call-up to face Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and 2014 gold medallists South Africa.
And team-mate Ruaridh Jackson reckons he’s earned his spot more than anyone after fighting back from cancer.
Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Fergusson went through a dozen rounds of chemotherapy in 2014.
Glasgow star Jackson, a former clubmate, said: “It’s a phenomenal achievement from Robbie with everything he has been through. He’s up on the Glasgow Warriors courage wall we set up a while back.
“To come through everything he has in the way he has is so impressive. He was initially a bit unlucky not to be in the squad – it was probably my doing – BY GORDON WADDELL but he gets to step up now. He knows the game, he studies the game well and he’ll bring that to this tournament and will be putting up his hand to show he deserved his spot originally.
“I’ve known him for a long time. When he was a youngster I did some kicking stuff with him.
“It’s nice to see him come all the way through and he’s done it the extremely hard way, not through any fault of his own. For him to get to put it out on the world stage will be an awesome moment for him and his family.”
Only one team makes it through each group into Sunday’s semis but Jackson, one of six pros drafted in from Glasgow and Edinburgh, said: “There’s definitely confidence running through the squad.
“We’ve got game breakers who can do things and hopefully some older guys who can steer the ship.”