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Scott Robertson releases statement on All Blacks departure
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David Kirk speaks out on Ardie Savea rumours after Robertson's exit
By Henry Lee reporting from Auckland
New Zealand Rugby Chair and former All Black captain David Kirk has come out to defend Ardie Savea, stamping out rumours of a player split over the future of Scott Robertson following the end-of-year review, that ultimately led to the end of the All Blacks head coach’s tenure.
The bombshell move, something rarely witnessed in All Blacks history, has seen the 51-year-old former loose-forward turned head coach depart his role mid World Cup cycle.
Robertson took charge of the All Blacks for 27 games in two full international seasons, losing seven of them in the process, while two assistant coaches left Robertson’s staff during his tenure.
Thursday’s announcement that Robertson will be departing his role as head coach of the All Blacks was met with varied reactions and opinions, following a report by the New Zealand Herald on Wednesday that vice-captain and centurion, Savea, was exploring overseas options unless changes were made to the current coaching staff.
Kirk, who was in charge of the review alongside widely respected former All Black Keven Mealamu and former senior high-performance advisor Don Tricker, was adamant and strong in response to whether Savea’s opinions had influenced and impacted other players and their response to the review.
“There was definitely no revolt,” Kirk said to media in Auckland on Thursday afternoon.
“The players were very measured and thoughtful in their responses. It’s very unfair to say that Ardie somehow led something, not at all.”
The 65-year-old NZR chair explained that in the review, 20 players were approached and talked to, and in those discussions, the players made their own decisions.
“He expressed public opinions. Some of those opinions were not agreed with by other players. Others would have been somewhat aligned with them.
“All of the players are individuals, make their own decisions, and analyse things in ways that are appropriate for them and the team.”
Kirk admits he had discussions with Savea and different players about the coaching staff on the end-of-year tour, but they were mostly about players’ futures.
“I had meetings, not meetings, just conversations with players. Just sat down in the public and had a cup of coffee while being with the players on the northern tour. I was there for the first two matches, the Ireland match and the Scotland match, and had plenty of opportunity to talk to players.
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“I can definitively say to you they were not complaining about things, they were talking about their future and things that they wanted to do.
“And Ardie, as has been widely broadcast, has had a very heavy load. He’s played a lot of rugby in the last period, so certainly that came up as him feeling tired.
“[Savea’s] contracted to us until the end of 2027. I would definitely expect to see him in a black jersey,” Kirk said.
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