Jack Robertson: Oxford are prepared for every scenario in Boat Race

Australian Jack Robertson is eager to make positive headlines for his country when he represents Oxford in Sunday’s Boat Race in London.

The historic event will return to its usual River Thames home after the 2021 edition took place at Ely’s River Great Ouse without spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It will be the 167th men’s and 76th women’s Boat Race between Cambridge and Oxford this weekend with Robertson, who is studying a masters in sociology, proud to continue a long tradition of his countrymen by competing in the annual university race.

Robertson is well aware of the history behind this event and insisted his boat will be ready for any challenge during the 4.2-mile course between Putney and Mortlake in a nod to when compatriot Trenton Oldfield staged a lone protest near Chiswick Pier that produced a 30-minute delay in 2012.

“We certainly do our research and we know every few years something extremely unusual happens like that,” Robertson told the PA news agency.

“We have prepared for all these kinds of scenarios. We have watched pretty much every race back to the 70s so we are well versed in what can go wrong on boat race day from restarts, sinking, all these crazy things including a swimming protestor.

“All this kind of stuff, anything that is an external factor, will be worked with on the day because we look forward to any challenges that may be presented.”

Robertson is one of two rowers from his country involved in this year’s race with Annie Anezakis in the Oxford women’s crew.

He said: “Everyone in the rowing community in Australia is aware of the Boat Race and every couple of years we have someone in it.

“Sam Hookway won it in 2019 with Cambridge and Aussies pretty regularly appear and it is