1
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
Some of the historical and more recent decisions made by the NZR board can be described as dumb.
I don't think Mark Robertson is CEO material. OK his responsibility is operations rather than governance, but his strategic thinking is weak.
The treatment of Mr Foster earlier in the season bears this out.
So it is not surprising that the Board appear to be flip flopping on decisions on the next All Black coach.
The attitude of the NZR Board seems tinged with wokeness. So Razor's modus operandi doesn't sit well with this.
So let's look forward to another dumb decision that will be rationalised away.
Or we could be surprised .........yeah right!
Some people just don't like change and hold on to traditional ways. Change is exactly what is needed. Starting at the top. Change is good for the gander. Just do it for the Game and Country.
I disagree with this article, Rennie was snapped up way before the NZRU even knew about it, he was the logical choice for coach after Hanson but Robertson is pencilled in after the World Cup regardless! Two Coaches have been fired in the UK in the last few days so nothing is in concrete but I think he wants to coach the ABs and won’t be tempted to jump ship! He is a true blue Kiwi and could possibly be called into the coaching position should Foster lose a few games next year plus he already has his preferred coaching staff with the ABs at present
This is what is really going on.
I think the old brigade just cant accept this Larikin Break Dancing
Southerner could fit into the Eh what inner circle.
What irritates me is NZR made such a scene during the SA tour that Foster was under the pump and likely gone. NZR build up hope that we would see Fozzie gone, then all the sudden Foster and Mark are best buddies. They still haven't made it 100% clear if Razor has shot at all, and as a fan, it is ruining the whole perception on NZR. They seem to value being average as long as the board has control. Shame really. Fozzie is the coach, I accept that, but if he stays on after the WC, I will have lost all hope for the future. Razor has earned his shot, period. If you can appoint Fozzie as head coach, you can for sure appoint Razor. One man's thoughts
Ok look with all due respect he inherited a crusaders team full of all blacks. Let's see how he does from scratch? Which means takes a team with no world class players and makes them shine then we will see how good he is. Robbie Deans had almost the same success with the crusaders but we know how he did as The wallabies coach.
Razors detractors often say he has never proven himself having taken over a team full of All Blacks in 2017. He proved plenty that 1st year coaching the Crusaders to there 1st Title since 2008 winning the Final away from home and in Sth Africa. Yes there were 9 All Blacks in the starting 23 that day but under his coaching a further 2 were included in the end of year squad followed by 3 more All Black debutants after the 2018 season. In fact since he took over in 2017 12 new players he has coached have pulled on the Black Jersey for the 1st time. Not to mention many who have gone gone on to higher honours or being touted now as Future All blacks. And as everyone knows won every title since then . Huge achievements I’d say unlikely to be matched. Razor has earned the chance to take the All Blacks to new heights and further develop our players many who he got to that level and to further develop our game which I think everybody knows we need to do.
Well said he has to go overseas and taste the pressure
Great article - there is no doubt the NZRU made a mistake when they listened to Henry and Hansen, then and opted for continuity.
The fact is the Henry - Hansen - Foster era from 2004 to 2019 had gone past its "sell by date". You could see Hansen's reign falling apart from 2017 Lions, where Garland / Farrell et al outcoached Hansen-Foster.
Hansen - Foster, could not settle on some really key positions - the whole Mounga / Barrett debacle was a classic - we went into RWC19 semi final with a # Rassie won in Wellington and then Eddie did a number on them at RWC19.
My opinion is sack the whole board because they are incompetent and they clearly practise favouritism and they dont belong there. Eddie Jones 75% winning rate. He is gone but Foster with 67% winning rate are still in.
Well said
How shocking to watch NZ Rugby tear itself apart. Much as we all appreciate The All Blacks, it seems, to the outsider, that they have finally caught up England to the point where there are 57 elderly gentlemen suffering a collective digestion problem.
Might I respectfully suggest, if you do not like a particular journalist, do not read what they write.
It is much better for those of us who want to debate the substance of their articles.
Bidwell is someone I do not always agree with, but he provokes positive thought. More often than not he nails difficult issues.
Those who have an alternate view, but cannot control the personal attacks, should seek their parent's approval before expressing an opinion.
You might want to look up the definition of irony if you can reach a dictionary from up there.
Some of you seem to know why Razor was denied the job and it had to do with the players not wanting him. Since when do we ask players who is to coach them? Yet I read its the establishment who does not like such a free thinker. Which is it? As a Brit I'll gladly take the man who has won more than anyone else and still has many ideas up his sleeve.
Hi Peter, in case you're referring to my comment I didn't say that the players didn't want Razor, I said that they didn't want the incumbent sacked. Two different things.
What you need to remember is that Bidwell is constantly negative about whoever's in charge, both in print and on the radio. At times he has valid points, e.g. some articles on Foster's selections and tactics. At others he's downright misleading and unprofessional. This is such a time.
I suspect some of the comments here are from NZR Board Members. Cannot be any other explanation for spurning such a successful coach.
Weak administration, probably better suited to running synchronised swimming where little is on show.
I hope Robertson goes overseas, where the money is better and as every day passes the odds of winning are better.
Not much kudos in coaching the current ABs.
Get the feeling these guys only have to write a column to satisfy their employers and stay employed??
Maybe the seniors are worried as clearly they do will be dropped for younger more exciting players..
Well said, JD Kiwi. Hamish, the only rabbit hole you've missed jumping down is the universal Jewish conspiracy - but there's still time, mate!
bang on with the Labour party analogy
What a load of nonsense. They tried to give him the job in August but Ellis Park and the backing of the senior players made it impossible.
"they tried to give him the job..."
Who is in charge?
Bidwell is spot on.