A leading contender for Wales job rules himself out
One of the leading contenders to replace Warren Gatland has ruled himself out of the running.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson, who led them to the Super Rugby title last season, was surprised to be linked to the role when asked whether he’d be interested by Radio Sport in New Zealand.
“Wowee, I don’t know about that, I’m not sure where that’s come from.”
Robertson, who is a regular surfer, also quipped “Wow, I don’t know if they have got a wave pool in Cardiff but it’s always flattering to get those opportunities.”
Glasgow head coach Dave Rennie and Scarlets supremo Wayne Pivac are two other names reportedly on the Welsh Rugby Union shortlist, but 43-year-old Roberton insisted he’s not had any contact.
“I suppose that is part of the coaching job, when a new job comes up your name is going to be bandied around. No, I haven’t heard anything.”
Gatland is due to leave at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and with Robertson’s deal with the Crusaders coming to an end he wouldn’t require a severance fee should the WRU could knocking.
“Like I said it (the speculation) is flattering, but no, I have not heard anything – I am happy here.”
Continue reading below…
Meanwhile Rennie, who took over Glasgow at the start of the 2017/18 season, only signed a two-year deal, which would leave him available at the end of the 2018/19 season. Rennie is also being spoken about as a possible replacement for Steve Hansen with the All Blacks, such is his reputation back home.
In terms of international pedigree, the 54-year-old can boast three U20 World Championships with New Zealand, while he claimed two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs, in 2012 and 2013. The brand of rugby played by the Chiefs under Rennie will also be admired by rugby purists in Wales, and that style of play has been incorporated by Glasgow too with Rennie, continuing where Gregor Townsend left off.
Pivac led the Scarlets to the semi-finals of the Champions Cup this season, having recovered from losing their opening two pool 5 games to qualify for the knockout stage. They also reached the final of the PRO14, Leinster were the team to stop them on each occasion.
One advantage that Pivac has over Rennie is the fact he’s been coaching in Wales since 2014, he knows the landscape both in terms of players and structure. He was initially brought in as an assistant to Simon Easterby, before being handed the head coach role a few months later when Easterby left for Ireland. He’s made steady progress, a 6th place finish in 2015 was followed by a 5th in 2016 and in 2017 his swashbuckling attacking side won the PRO12 title, blasting past Munster 46-22 in the final.
The former policeman also has senior international experience with Fiji, whom he led to the 2004 Pacific Tri-Nations, while in 2005 he helped Fiji’s seven’s side to Rugby World Cup Sevens title.
Back in New Zealand he’s coached Northland, Auckland and North Harbour.
Only last October Pivac signed a new Scarlets contract until 2020, but earlier this season revealed that the WRU had enquired about him.
“There has been nothing formal, just discussions around my contract here, which I recently signed. As you would expect, I am pretty sure most coaches in Wales at the highest levels would have those conversations.”
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments