Benn Robinson can barely believe he will become the NSW Waratahs’ most-capped player in Saturday night’s Super Rugby derby against Queensland.

Less than a decade after bursting onto the scene as Australian rugby’s provincial rookie of the year in 2006, Robinson will eclipse his idol and former captain Phil Waugh when he runs out for the 137th time in the sky blue jumper.

“It’s a difficult one to fathom. When I first started playing footy, I just loved what I did and I still love what I do now,” Robinson said on Tuesday.

“It still feels like my first couple of years of playing rugby. I think that’s got to do with the group I’m in at the moment, making me work really hard, making me strive to become a better person and player.

“I don’t think any player goes out there and tries to break records.”

Robinson, though, admitted it would be special breaking Waugh’s record this weekend.

“It’s pretty well known that he’s a big inspiration of mine,” the loosehead said.

“For me, he just exemplified what it means to play hard for NSW and to lead by example.

“Even through the latter part of his career when he wasn’t being selected for the national side, he still had a lot of drive, a lot of ambition for this club as well. So that means a lot to me.

“Also, right from day one, he took me under his wing and showed me the ins and outs of being a professional rugby player.

“So a lot of where I am now has a lot to do with him.”

A 72-Test veteran, Robinson has had to battle back from being dropped from the state and national sides on countless occasions.

But resilience and skill at the set piece have proven Robinson’s most defining qualities.

“You could say it’s a judge of character or trait of mine, I don’t know,” he said.

“When things are down, I’m not one to shy away or hide from that challenge.

“Whether there’s been a drop (in form), or an injury or whatever it is, I’ve always had that belief that I can get back.”

The 30-year-old remains as hungry as ever but says the lure of a World Cup spot with the Wallabies this year after an injury ruled him out in 2011 isn’t his driving motivation.

He credits his love for the Waratahs as the prime reason he’s shunned big-money overseas offers to remain in Australia when others are fleeing after the World Cup.

“I said to the coach before: ‘When I start losing that hunger, I’ll let you know’,” Robinson said.

“If I lose that hunger, then I know it’s probably not the place to be around anymore.”