Bendemeer product Benn Robinson joined Wycliff Palu, Drew Mitchell and Atiele Pakalani in a visit to his region which kicked off with a skills clinic and barbecue at Barraba Rugby Club yesterday afternoon.

The rest of the Waratah squad will join them in the city today.

Robinson and co will visit 13 schools in the region and will also be at Tamworth Junior Rugby Club’s sign-on day at Ken Chillingworth Oval today.

A selection of players will also be on hand at a Tamworth Rugby Club skills clinic today.

Robinson told The Leader it was “very good” to be back home to meet local kids but he was disappointed to be sidelined for Friday night’s match at Scully Park.

“I’m looking forward to spending a bit of time here,” he said.

“The next four or five days are pretty choc-a-block.

“But I’m very disappointed (to miss the game).

“I’ve got family up here and they don’t make it down to Sydney too often so that side of it is very disappointing.”

Robinson has returned to training after suffering a knee injury but a return this weekend would be “cutting it a bit fine”.

He expects to be back for another trial against Tonga on Friday week.

Robinson said the Tahs would be in rugby union heartland for their week and the trial was a coup for

Tamworth.

“The New England area is a very strong area for rugby union so I try to get up here as often as possible,” he said.

“And for the Waratahs to get up here and get such a high- quality game against the Samoan side is very good for the area.”

It wasn’t the first time Mitchell had been to

Tamworth.

“Cliffy (Palu) and I came up here to do a school visit about two months ago,” Mitchell, who is suffering an ankle injury, said.

Palu is out with a hamstring injury and Pakalani has a shoulder problem.

All three are expected back for the first round of the season, against the Reds at ANZ Stadium on February 25.