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How New Zealand Rugby's deal with Silver Lake could impact Scott Robertson's future
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson says New Zealand Rugby’s [NZR] deal with private equity giants Silver Lake could play a decisive role in his coaching future.
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Robertson is off-contract with the Crusaders at the end of this year, and has been open about his ambitions to coach at the highest level of the game.
That was reflected in his application for the All Blacks head coach role following the 2019 World Cup, but NZR instead opted to sign Ian Foster on a two-year deal.
Since then, Robertson has won a fourth title in as many years with the Crusaders and looks set to claim an unprecedented five-peat with the Christchurch-based franchise as speculation continues to swirl about his future abroad.
Some have linked the 46-year-old’s name to the England job as Eddie Jones faces mounting pressure following a disastrous Six Nations campaign that saw his side finish fifth, but there will be a strong desire to keep Robertson on Kiwi shores.
Few have a coaching CV like Robertson, who has found success everywhere he has been since he entered the professional coaching ranks as Canterbury assistant coach in 2008.
Eight provincial titles, as both an assistant and head coach, followed, as did a World Rugby U20 Championship in 2015, and he is now charging towards a fifth straight championship with the Crusaders in his fifth year in charge.
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That impressive run of success has made the former All Blacks loose forward hot property on the global coaching market, and he stands as a frontrunner for the All Blacks head coach job once Foster’s tenure with the side expires.
Whether or not he usurps the current All Blacks boss could depend on the outcome of NZR’s Silver Lake deal, though, as Robertson suggested to media on Wednesday.
“The next couple of days is pretty big around the Silver Lake deal. We are getting close, but the Silver Lake deal is a pretty important part of re-signing,” Robertson said on the prospect of continuing his time in New Zealand and with the Crusaders.
“Like I’ve said before, with the agent, he’s a pretty patient type, it’s a long game for him just around what’s happening with New Zealand Rugby, just making sure the timing is right.”
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NZR’s deal with Silver Lake, which would give the American technology investment company a 15 percent stake in the organisation’s commercial rights, is understood to be worth $465 million.
New Zealand are looking to co-host this year’s Rugby Championship with a southern hemisphere partner, but South Africa have ruled themselves out. https://t.co/O1yeMrPw1M
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 30, 2021
The potential deal would inject some much-needed cash into the game across New Zealand, both at professional and amateur levels, but NZR has met resistance from the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association [NZRPA] and some of the country’s top players.
Led by NZRPA chairman David Kirk and chief executive Rob Nichol, opponents of the deal cited concerns about the relationship with fans as well as the safety of the Maori and Pasifika game in a letter to NZR.
Representatives from both NZR and the NZRPA will meet with a mediator on Wednesday in a bid to work through the stand-off between the two organisations, but Robertson wouldn’t be drawn into whether he shared those concerns of the players.
“Just see what it [the deal] means, if it is or isn’t [accepted], and what does it look like on the side of that with the next All Blacks role coming up,” he said when asked why the Silver Lake deal will play a key role in his decision to re-sign or not.
It wasn’t smooth sailing for the star All Black as he got his first real taste of a tough Top League derby. https://t.co/Dcnw47QXOS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 30, 2021
He added that while he has enjoyed his time with the Crusaders, re-committing himself to the franchise through until the next World Cup in 2023 wouldn’t align with his international career ambitions.
“It’s pretty clear; if I sign a couple more years, I’ll have done the Crusaders for seven years – which I love doing – but what does it mean for the next step after that?
“How does that line up around the 2023 World Cup if this coaching group stays on? So, there’s a lot of things going on; a lot of answers to come back.
“I’ve been really patient here. I’ve been coming down to Rugby Park since 2008 in some role as a coach. We’ve got a great lifestyle, but I’m also ambitious career coach.
“So, for me to have the opportunity, if it’s here or elsewhere, you always keep looking at those opportunities.”
Whether that means he is in line to succeed Jones at Twickenham, a notion former England boss Sir Clive Woodward heralded earlier this week, remains to be seen, but Robertson said that being linked to such a “special” role was “flattering”.
“It’s pretty flattering to be mentioned [for] international jobs – especially a role like that. It comes with a bit of honour and prestige to lead someone’s country, so to be held in that regard is pretty special.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Interesting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
15 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
15 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
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