Scott Robertson clearly has enemies in high places
Scott Robertson clearly has enemies in high places.
And, hey, that happens.
Some people’s faces simply don’t fit, so we have to assume that this iteration of the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby (NZR) don’t want Robertson around.
The man has done all there is to do in New Zealand rugby to be the national head coach. There’s no bar to be climbed, no box to be ticked.
Be it at club, provincial, under-20 and Super Rugby level, Robertson has done nothing but excel. Better than that, he has created environments in which players have performed to their potential.
And yet we continue to debate his suitability as All Blacks coach and continue to see non-committal answers about his future from NZR.
If they wanted him in the national set up he would be there by now.
Where does he go and what does he do? I honestly don’t know.
But whatever it is, it shouldn’t be here.
Robertson needs to leave this country behind and go and work his peculiar brand of magic somewhere else.
He’d go with my best wishes and I suspect those of many New Zealand rugby fans.
I read the comments on this website of NZR chief executive Mark Robinson with sadness this week. Sadness that he appears to see limited value in Robertson and sadness that NZR are “getting into a review’’ of the just-completed All Blacks season.
Honestly, what is there left to talk about?
They’ve backed their horse, he’s arguably a donkey and the team are as good as they’re ever going to get under his watch.
We hounded Warren Gatland out of this country. We lampooned him endlessly when he was Wales and British & Irish Lions coach and then criticised him at every turn when he took charge of the Chiefs.
We made it clear to Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown and Dave Rennie that they had no future here. That their inability to fall into line with every NZR edict meant they weren’t welcome.
We insist that coaches – such as Robertson must have some offshore experience – despite Ian Foster having none. Conveniently, when our coaches do do well elsewhere, we diminish the currency of those overseas results and suggest these men suddenly don’t have the familiarity with the New Zealand game and are out of touch.
We will now happily send Robertson packing for fear of doing anything to undermine Foster.
We are not so good that we can continue to lose so many good men. Just as the All Blacks aren’t so good that we can continue to insist there’s only one way to do things.
We need as many good coaches as possible in this country. We need them in schools and clubs and franchises, imparting their immense knowledge and a variety of methods and protecting our rugby from intellectual bankruptcy.
The All Blacks are inconsistent because we have become complacent. Worse than that, we’re now frightened of dissenting voices.
We exile those who disagree with the regime, while urging certain media types to defend the governing body at all times.
It’s like watching the Labour Party’s lackeys in action, as everyone seeks to protect their privilege.
Robertson’s record suggests he is exceptional. And, like many people of that ilk, that also means he’s different.
New Zealand Rugby would rather see the All Blacks lose matches – and further damage a once strong brand – than risk having an independent thinker at the helm.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments