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Scott Robertson breaks his silence after losing out on All Blacks coaching job

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Scott Robertson has opened up on the “natural disappointment” of missing out on the All Blacks head coaching role but shrugged off suggestions he would immediately look for work overseas.

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The Crusaders head coach was among the finalists for the All Blacks job after the departure of Steve Hansen following the 2019 World Cup campaign but was overlooked in favour of Hansen’s long-time assistant Ian Foster.

“There’s always a natural process as a human, there’s a natural disappointment because I’ve put everything into it,” Robertson said of his unsuccessful campaign for the All Blacks role.

“They think they have the best man for the job and, look, through the process, I did everything I possibly could; they got who I was and how I would have loved to have led the All Blacks and they were clear with my vision and how we were going to do it, but it wasn’t to be.

“It’s been a good four months, hasn’t it? It feels like it’s been an election in its own way. I prepared well, everyone understands what I’ve done with my record… I had a great two and a half hours in front of the board and it went another way.

(Continue reading below…)

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I flicked a text (to Foster) to say congratulations to him. It’s been a big few months and obviously it’s nothing personal, he’s in a position like me and wants to do the best for himself and the country.”

The 45-year-old Robertson has amassed an impressive record as head coach, with a winning percentage above 80 per cent during his time at the helm of Canterbury and the Crusaders. Since taking over at the Crusaders for the 2017 season, the club has won 48 times and lost just five matches.

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After the announcement of Foster’s appointment was made on Wednesday, many commented that Robertson would be lost to New Zealand Rugby as another national system would pounce on the opportunity to lure him away. However, with two years remaining on his contract, Robertson brushed those suggestions aside.

“I’m coaching the team I love, where I’ve had a lot of great moments as a player and now as a coach, I’ve got a lot of special bonds and a chance to do something pretty special,” he said.

New Zealand Herald 

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Jon 5 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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