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'He's kept his options open': Crusader's take on Robertson's contract
If there was any coach in rugby union today able to claim similar superstar status to the likes of Pep Guardiola or José Mourinho, it would most likely be Scott Robertson. The man they call ‘Razor’ possesses a quite remarkable winning record as head coach of the Crusaders: 71 wins, 4 draws and 9 losses in five seasons with the franchise.
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Since taking over as head coach back in 2017, Robertson has won a total of five consecutive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, including two Super Rugby Aotearoa titles in 2020 and 2021. Under his guidance, the Crusaders have gone on to build a spectacular new era of dominance, with Robertson rightly claiming plaudits for his management.
The end of 2019, the year of Robertson’s third title with the Crusaders, was to prove a watershed moment for New Zealand rugby. With Sir Steve Hansen leaving the role of All Blacks head coach after a hugely successful stint in charge, New Zealand Rugby were faced with a choice as to who should succeed him. Opting for a policy of continuity from within, Ian Foster landed the role, with Robertson missing out.
Objectively however, any disappointment felt by Robertson didn’t appear to show, as he continued to enjoy successes at Super Rugby level, steering the Crusaders to two more titles.
Naturally, with each further success, speculation continued to build as to whether one of New Zealand rugby’s brightest coaching talents might still yet leave, with rumors linking Robertson both to club and international roles abroad.
Last week however, it was announced that after eight months of negotiations, Robertson had chosen to re-sign with the Crusaders until the end of 2024. Reports also indicated that his contract crucially contained an exit clause, allowing him to leave the Crusaders at the end of 2023 if he should wish to do so. That clause, as well as Robertson’s own words as to his ambitions, seem to suggest that some changes might remain to be seen in the world of international rugby management. Ian Foster’s contract of course, is for the time being, set to expire at the end of 2021.
Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod this week, Crusaders halfback Bryn Hall highlighted the obvious benefits his side would gain from Robertson’s decision.
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“You’ve got to talk about the successes he’s had, not only with the Crusaders, but with whatever team he’s been a part of,” said Hall. “He’s won multiple championships and I think he’s got a couple more years to be able to keep evolving and keep growing. For me personally as a Crusader, it’s great to have him in the environment for a couple more years. [He clearly still] has new goals and he keeps it fresh.”
Ex-Blues hooker, James Parsons, also saw nothing but positives deriving from Robertson’s contract extension with New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders.
“I think we’re very fortunate that he’s staying,” said Parsons. “I love that it signals that he’s going to leave no stone unturned to have a crack at that All Blacks role. The thing I like about him is that he does seem to keep things fresh. He’s always innovating or doing something different, thinking outside the box … I think that’s what makes him so successful and I think that [him staying] can only be a good thing for our game here in New Zealand.”
In just one game for the #AllBlacks, David Havili has showcased the full range of abilities he can bring to the fore – but the attack is still going to need a few tweaks moving forward. #NZLvFIJ
Analysis from @BenSmithRugby ? https://t.co/eGukdTm8jx
— The XV Rugby (@TheXV) July 13, 2021
Crucially for Robertson, his exit clause should allow for the desired amount of flexibility if his hopes of taking the top role in New Zealand rugby fall through.
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As well as enjoying NPC successes as head coach of Canterbury, Robertson has also seen success at junior international level, guiding the New Zealand U20s to their fifth World Rugby U20 Championship title back in 2015.
Providing some insight into his head coach, Hall identified some of the aspects of Razor’s style that have seen him be so successful thus far as a coach.
“Theming is a big part of his coaching style,” said Hall. “Razor plays a massive part in bringing a group together for a goal, and I think [a theme] makes it a little bit more meaningful, you can connect with that theme throughout the year … his ability to be able to connect back to that theme is a big part of why we all connect [as a side] and have been able to go forward and play really well and win games.”
Aside from building that clear team vision, Hall also identified Robertson’s desire to have all bases covered in his coaching setup – for the betterment of the players and himself as a head coach.
“I think he’s got a really good ability, [with] the strengths that he doesn’t have, to bring people in to do that for him,” commented Hall. “The likes of Scott Hansen, Brad Mooar … and he also thinks outside the box [bringing in] the likes of Ronan O’Gara. He’s able to have an ideal overall picture for us as a group and even with the weaknesses that he does have, he’s got a really good ability of having coaches around him that are able to help with that.”
Time will tell how Robertson’s future plans will pan out, but for the time being, Crusaders fans will undoubtedly be excited by the potential for more titles (and more breakdancing) with Razor at the helm.
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments