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Pour ses premiers mots, Scott Robertson évoque « l'art de l'entraîneur »
Le nouveau sélectionneur des All Blacks, Scott Robertson, a officiellement pris la relève de Ian Foster le 1er novembre et prend tranquillement ses marques depuis.
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Le septuple champion du Super Rugby avec les Crusaders s’est attelé à la finalisation de son staff, après avoir déjà dévoilé le nom de ses entraîneurs adjoints et une poignée d’autres désignations.
Un séjour en France pour assister à la Coupe du Monde de Rugby a précédé une mission d’assistance à l’équipe des Barbarians d’Eddie Jones, qui s’est inclinée face au Pays de Galles lors d’un match d’adieu pour la légende Alun Wyn Jones, qui a disputé 170 matchs internationaux. Mais il semblerait que tous les systèmes soient désormais au point dans le camp des All Blacks.
Construire un récit commun
L’ère très attendue de Razor est arrivée et le sélectionneur ne se fait pas d’illusions sur le défi qui l’attend, à savoir gérer l’exode de talents chevronnés et le passage au niveau international.
« Vous avez vos modèles, vous avez vos structures et vous entraînez la meilleure équipe devant vous », a expliqué Robertson dans une émission matinale en Nouvelle-Zélande.
« Je sais comment j’entraîne, vous ne changez pas en tant que personne, mais vous pouvez changer certaines choses autour de vos modèles.
« Les tests-matchs sont différents, ils sont joués un peu différemment. Il faut rassembler les gens assez rapidement et créer une histoire et une connexion fortes.
« C’est ce que j’aime : raconter une histoire qui nous relie les uns aux autres. J’ai hâte d’y être. »
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En effet, les récits que Robertson élabore pour chaque campagne sont désormais bien connus, car ce conteur autoproclamé s’efforce d’offrir à son équipe une identité claire comme de l’eau de roche.
Combler la perte d’expérience par le talent
Alors que Ian Foster a pris le temps cette semaine de souligner la quantité de jeunes talents qui ont été formés ces dernières saisons sous le maillot noir, Robertson, lui-même ancien All Black (23 sélections entre 1998 et 2002) perdra les services de huit des meilleurs joueurs néo-zélandais en 2024. Des noms comme Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick et Richie Mo’unga seront absents de la feuille de match du sélectionneur.
« On ne peut jamais remplacer l’expérience », a regretté Robertson. « Mais on peut la remplacer par du talent, les encadrer et leur donner l’occasion d’être performants. C’est là tout l’art de l’entraîneur.
Avec les attentes considérables qui pèsent sur ses épaules, le sélectionneur a passé « beaucoup d’entretiens », rassemblant « une grande équipe » pour mener l’une des équipes les plus performantes du monde vers un nouveau cycle de Coupe du monde.
Robertson explique qu’il va parcourir le pays pour partager les connaissances et les points de vue des communautés locales de rugby amateurs sur la meilleure façon de faire avancer le rugby.
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« Maintenant, il est temps de parcourir les terrains, de parler aux gens, d’obtenir beaucoup d’informations sur les joueurs qui sont actuellement en place et sur ceux qui vont partir.
« Je passe donc beaucoup de temps à parler à ces personnes, à obtenir ce qui est nécessaire pour les All Blacks, selon eux, pour aller de l’avant. »
Comments on RugbyPass
Fox News, Tucker Carlson, Jordan Peterson and Joe Rogan? Yikes.
1 Go to commentsThat is harsh though. Messi has/had a reputation for trying to keep his feet and keep dribbling for goal. Many of his brethren were the histrionic divers but not him.
2 Go to commentsMcReight is certainly one of the first picked. He’s going to be the glue, a Wallaby with some rugby IQ and the everywhere man for the Wallabies.
5 Go to commentsSophie De Goede is one of the best players we’ve ever produced. Kicked all the points, 2 try assists, line out takes, carries, tackles, charge downs… what a player
1 Go to commentsThe guy had just beasted himself in a scrum and the blood hadn't yet returned to his head when he was pushed into a team mate. He took his weight off his left foot precisely at the moment he was shoved and dropped to the floor when seemingly trying to avoid stepping on Hyron Andrews’ foot. I don't think he was trying to milk a penalty, I think he was knackered but still switched on enough to avoid planting 120kgs on the dorsum of his second row’s foot. To effectively “police” such incidents with a (noble) view to eradicating play acting in rugby, yet more video would need to be reviewed in real time, which is not in the interest of the game as a sporting spectacle. I would far rather see Farrell penalised for interfering with the refereeing of the game. Perhaps he was right to be frustrated, he was much closer to the action than the only camera angle I've seen, however his vocal objection to Rodd’s falling over doesn't legitimately fall into the captain's role as the mouthpiece of his team - he should have kept his frustration to himself, that's one of the pillars of rugby union. I appreciate that he was within his rights to communicate with the referee as captain but he didn't do this, he moaned and attempted to sway the decision by directing his complaint to the player rather than the ref. Rugby needs to look closely at the message it wants to send to young players and amateur grassroots rugby. The best way to do this would be to apply the laws as they are written and edit them where the written laws no longer apply. If this means deleting laws such as ‘the put in to the scrum must be straight”, so be it. Likewise, if it is no longer necessary to respect the referee’s decision without questioning it or pre-emptively attempting to sway it (including by diving or by shouting and gesticulating) then this behaviour should be embraced (and commercialised). Otherwise any reference to respecting the referee should be deleted from the laws. You have to start somewhere to maintain the values of rugby and the best place to start would be giving a penalty and a warning against the offending player, followed by a yellow card the next time. People like Farrell would rapidly learn to keep quiet and let their skills do the talking.
1 Go to commentsThe name “Kwagga” came to mind while I was reading this. And there’s another Sevens convert roaming the wide open kant at the Lions now - JC Pretorius. Keep an eye on him.
5 Go to comments2024 Rugby Championship: Sat, 10 Aug 2024 – Sat, 28 Sept 2024. Looking forward to watching the All Blacks coached by Scott Robertson, with or without the ‘dynamic’ qualities of Shannon Michael Frizell - see his display against South Africa at Go Media Mount Smart Stadium on July 15.
1 Go to commentsI agree about 8 being too many The English premiership has top four only Top 14 has six URC has 8 I think 6 would be fine It gives those other two teams an incentive But rewarding a team in perhaps 8th with three wins is atrocious If they get in they know they only need one big game
7 Go to commentsInteresting article. I think the answer lies in a comment Kwagga Smith made during the World Cup. Asked whether it bothers him that the Bok team doesn’t get more credit he said: “We don’t play for people to respect us: we play for each other and we play for South Africa.” The Springbok team is a brotherhood - an incredibly tight unit, most of whom are good friends off the pitch as well. Not only do they not want to let South Africa down, but they fight like crazy not to let their teammates down. Not saying they don’t care about their club teammates, but I think the bond shared in the Boks is just much, much deeper. Tough to forge the same sort of bond at a club over a handful of years. That must translate into superior performances for country over club.
33 Go to commentsThere is very little creativity in the 9-10 axis for SA. 10 needs to be solid, put the work in and kick the points. the SA counter is almost always via the edge or a kick through for a winger. When was the last offensive backline score from SA against a top team? Perhaps the ultra physical nature of the SA teams means players they get to hit more stats in those games. Maybe the SA pleyers are perfectly suited to the SA system. In other Words they are not club players gathered to play SA Internationals. They are SA International players adapting to play club.
33 Go to commentsJust what you want your prop doing 😂
2 Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
5 Go to commentsyikes - what a load of crap Gallan. Interesting until after your 1st paragraph, but then again not worth anyone’s time responding to such pointless analysis and of course your dumbass opinions.
33 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
33 Go to commentsThanks Nick Ive always thought that there should be a few more innovative attempts at players moving from backs to forwards and vice versa. Samu was one, as was Jim Williams last century. Cole certainly could run like a back, as can Lonergan from the Brumbies. I think that it’s going to become hard again for hookers though as front rowers seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the guys have to look after their spines as well as (in Australia) their achilles! I always thought that Folau should have been tried in the lineout…. I think the same for Vunavalu…if he lasts any longer. Movement between positions is much more common in League, mainly because the size requirements between backs and forwards are not as pronounced. Hookers and halfbacks interchanging and second rowers and centres as well. The great Cameron Smith was effectively a hybrid hooker/halfback, being able to play both positions…sometimes it seemed simultaneously! For now, it seems like McReith and before him Hooper are the standouts, though Cale could be anything. John Eals did a few “back” type things mind you, including running and kicking. As for Jones, I don't credit him as anything (in an Australian context) other than a speaker of a million throw away lines, with the occasional one being picked up! Sorry
5 Go to commentsHe's Big in Japan
2 Go to comments“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
3 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
4 Go to comments