Justin Marshall reveals what Razor told him about ‘bizarre’ sacking

Former All Black halfback and current Sky Sport commentator and analyst Justin Marshall has provided some telling details around the specific timings of Scott Robertson’s All Blacks dismissal.

Robertson, who was announced on Wednesday as part of the Barbarians coaching staff for their two games against the Springboks and Wales respectively, has been out of the All Black head coaching job since January 15.

Rumours of senior players being unhappy surfaced a couple of days prior to Robertson leaving the role, before the NZR board, following a review from Don Tricker, Keven Mealamu, and David Kirk, made the shock decision.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, Marshall revealed a major detail in the process, about the specific time that Robertson was told by NZR.

“I’ve caught up with Razor, since what happened, all on that really bizarre day,” Marshall said.

“Seeing him, probably about 10 days after that, was difficult.

“As we know, he wears his heart on his sleeve, Razor, and he cares about every team he coaches. And in particular, his biggest passion was to coach the All Blacks. So, to have to be told on that day, like everybody else, you know.

“He got told at the same time as the story was unfolding – that he would no longer be the All Blacks coach – was something that took him massively by surprise. Because, obviously, he was getting told when the rest of the world was being told.”

The 82-Test former All Black is shocked that Robertson wasn’t given a chance to discuss the review with his players, to sort out the environment issues they may have been having.

“He had no heads up and then, you know, there was no ability to have any more conversations. The decision was made and taken out of his control.” Marshall told The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.

“I’ve been part of senior player groups. You just go sort that out with the coach. The back seat goes there, the senior players, and you chat it through. And that includes environment and cultural issues within the squad. They all just get resolved internally.”

Marshall said that despite a lot of the blame being put on the 51-year-old head coach, some of the players and other coaches need to step up.

“Where does the buck stop? You know, why has all of this been blamed on Scott Robertson? You know, there are other coaches and equally there are players that have let down the side at times.”