‘Enter Joe Schmidt’: Fans react to Scott Robertson’s All Blacks exit

New Zealand Rugby confirmed on Thursday that Scott Robertson is no longer the All Blacks head coach, sparking mixed reactions on social media. Ian Foster, Joe Schmidt and Jamie Joseph are among the potential replacements suggested by fans, taking to X shortly after the news broke.

Robertson won seven Super Rugby titles in as many years with the Crusaders before taking on the top job with the All Blacks. ‘Razor’ coached the All Blacks to 20 wins from 27 Tests but has been axed from the role 20 months before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

New Zealand Rugby Chair David Kirk, All Blacks great Keven Mealamu, and former NZR high performance manager Don Tricker were involved in a review of the 2025 season, with the New Zealand Herald first to break a big news story on Wednesday.

Multiple media outlets reported on Thursday morning that Robertson was set to depart the position with two years left on his deal, which was later confirmed by NZR. Robertson has released a statement, saying “coaching the All Blacks has been the honour of my life.”

The All Blacks have revealed that a search for Robertson’s successor will begin immediately. Fans have taken to social media in the wake of this news, either praising NZR for the decision to go in another direction or voicing some concerns.

One user has questioned whether the All Blacks “can get that Ian Foster bloke back” to replace Robertson. Foster led the All Blacks to the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final, where they were defeated by the Springboks 12-11 at Stade de France.

Another user has noted that there will be “a lot of angry New Zealanders” reading this update, while another suggested Robertson “barely got a chance.” “Coaches should at least get one crack at a World Cup each,” @jordanianr2 wrote on X.

Joe Schmidt has been touted as a potential option by @PhilAndrewPhoto, calling for the New Zealand-born Wallabies coach to take on the All Blacks job after the initial report from the Herald. “Enter Joe Schmidt,” is the latest update from the X user.

While some other supporters have voiced their disapproval of the announcement, @bigmatt436 believes Jamie Joseph will take on the position. Joseph is believed to be one of the front-runners for the now vacant All Blacks position.

Enter Joe Schmidt https://t.co/Kuj7xngwpg

— Philip Andrew O’Reilly Photography (@PhilAndrewPhoto) January 15, 2026

Can we get that Ian Foster bloke back?

— Kiernan Busher (@Kiernan_Busher) January 15, 2026

Jamie incoming

— bigmatt436 (@bigmatt436) January 15, 2026

Bloke barely got a chance! Coaches should at least get one crack at a world cup each!

— Riskylad (@jordanianr2) January 15, 2026

The bad news is that Ardie Savea is not coming to Leinster.

The good news is that Razor Robertson might be coming to Leinster. https://t.co/sHLLZz0bqb

— Karl Brophy (@KarlBrophy) January 14, 2026

The All Blacks lost seven Tests during Robertson’s two years in charge, including a record-setting defeat to the Springboks in Wellington last year. New Zealand were also beaten by Argentina and England throughout the 2025 international season.

South Africa went back-to-back as Rugby Championship winners. New Zealand will face the two-time defending Rugby World Cup winners in a four-Test series during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour starting in eight months’ time.

“The mid-point in the Rugby World Cup cycle is the right time to look at the All Blacks’ progress over the first two seasons,” Kirk said in a statement. “The team are set to play a significant 2026 schedule, and the tournament in 2027 remains the key goal.

“We’ve taken an extensive look at the team’s progress on and off the field and have subsequently had discussions with Scott on the way forward. Both NZR and Scott agree it is in the best interests of the team that he depart his role as Head Coach.

“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, I would like to thank Scott for his contribution to the All Blacks. As always, he has continued to put the All Blacks first, and we respect that he has done the hard but right thing in agreeing to depart.

“His passion for the team as both a player and coach is evident, and his commitment to and involvement in rugby in New Zealand at every level over a long period is significant. We wish him well for the future.”