'Robertson has nothing left to prove in New Zealand' - UK reporter names Crusaders coach as potential successor to Eddie Jones
Some would argue that the most important person for the future of All Blacks rugby is Scott Robertson.
Robertson has tasted plenty of success while coaching in New Zealand, having won trophies with the New Zealand Under-20s, Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup, and of course with the Crusaders. But despite his impressive coaching career to date, he was overlooked for the All Blacks top job, with Ian Foster handed the reigns.
While he’s still a chance of being the next All Blacks sometime in the future, that’s only if he sticks around.
And that’s a big if.
Instead, according to The Telegraph reporter Ben Coles, the man known as ‘Razor’ should head overseas and become the next coach of the England rugby team. Coles referred to comments by Graham Henry, who apparently suggested that “a stint overseas would be enormously beneficial” for him as a coach.
“Given the Crusaders’ success Robertson could have gone off to coach anywhere in the world, electing instead to stay in New Zealand until at least 2023 with an eye on succeeding Foster,” Coles wrote for The Telegraph.
Jordie Barrett has scored a hat-trick and all of the Hurricanes’ points in a 30-19 victory over the Highlanders in Dunedin. #HIGvHUR #SuperRugbyAotearoa https://t.co/vG0AbeDVkm
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“Reports in New Zealand have suggested that Robertson asked Warren Gatland if he could be part of this year’s British and Irish Lions coaching staff, after his lack of coaching experience outside of New Zealand was cited as a factor in him not getting the All Blacks job.
“Well, then why not with England? The national side feel stale and in need of a bucket of cold water thrown over them after their worst-ever Six Nations finish.”
Robertson has had an undeniable impact on helping the Crusaders return to their thrown. He’s led them to four straight Super Rugby titles, including Super Rugby Aotearoa last year.
But as Coles highlighted, it’s his “man-management” which is especially impressive.
“Robertson has been hailed for his man-management, getting the best out of an already talented player pool at the Crusaders.
“At a time where Eddie Jones’ motivational messages to this England side appear to be falling on deaf ears, Robertson’s ability to influence and inspire his players seems refreshing.”
Coles also included quotes from Sam Whitelock in his piece, after the Crusaders won their third Super Rugby title in a row.
The All Blacks lock said that he “challenged people to get better and grow”, talking both about the playing squad, as well as having an ability to “grow the coaching and management staff too.”
Towards the end of his piece, Coles mentioned that “Robertson has nothing left to prove in New Zealand”, before including another sentence which is quite thought-provoking in my opinion, but still something most New Zealand rugby fans may agree with.
“The All Blacks would be mad not to appoint him in 2023, because if it doesn’t happen then, someone else certainly will hire him.”
At the time of writing, the Crusaders are currently undefeated in the 2021 season of Super Rugby Aotearoa. They’re also top of the ladder, and are without a doubt, title contenders once again this year.
Comments on RugbyPass
The Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
3 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
3 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
30 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
3 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
30 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
30 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
30 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
9 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to comments