‘Watch out the Springboks’: Sir John Kirwan reacts to Robertson’s exit

All Blacks great Sir John Kirwan has reminded fans of “the human factor” after New Zealand Rugby parted ways with head coach Scott Robertson, before issuing a warning to two-time defending Rugby World Cup champions South Africa.

RugbyPass and other media outlets reported on Thursday morning that ‘Razor’ Robertson was set to exit the position, which was confirmed by NZR that afternoon. NZR Chair David Kirk fronted the press a few hours later in Auckland, answering questions for more than 20 minutes.

Kirk, who captained New Zealand to World Cup glory in 1987, explained the governing body had not seen “the trajectory that we wanted.” The All Blacks revealed on social media that the search for a new head coach would begin immediately, 20 months out from the World Cup.

Robertson led the All Blacks to 20 wins from 27 Test matches, which included a one-from-four record against the Springboks across two years. New Zealand beat South Africa at Eden Park last year, before suffering a record-defeat to the same opponent the next weekend in Wellington.

 

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South Africa successfully defended their Rugby Championship crown and retained their No. 1 status on World Rugby’s rankings. As for the All Blacks, they recorded two other defeats in 2025, falling to Los Pumas 29-23 and England 33-19.

“Wow, what a day for the All Blacks,” Kirwan said after NZR announced that Robertson had left the position, halfway through a four-year deal.

“Firstly, I just want everyone to take into consideration the human factor. I’ve been in a situation like this before and it is gut-wrenching for those people that are involved. My thoughts go out to Razor and the effort he’s put into the All Blacks. It’s a hard day.

“The leadership of David Kirk, I believe, has been amazing since he’s been in the chair. He’s obviously done a thorough process, he would not do this without a thorough process.

“It’s a sad day but I think that if it was the right decision, then no one is bigger than the All Black jersey, no one: me, David Kirk, Razor, Beauden (Barrett). The All Black jersey for us must always come first and I’m sure that’s why they’re doing it.

“I think the sadness of it is replaced now with the excitement of what’s happening next.

“I’m incredibly passionate about this All Black jersey and passionate about the team. I feel for the human side when things like this happen but I think that it is what it is and I’m sure a process has been followed.

“Go the All Blacks. Watch out the Springboks, we’re coming!”

New Zealand’s first season with Robertson at the helm included four defeats. The All Blacks beat England in two thrillers to start Robertson’s time in charge, before later losing to Argentina during The Rugby Championship.

It didn’t get any easier for the All Blacks, who made their way to South Africa for two Tests away to the Springboks. While the All Blacks were in the fight in both matches, the home side did enough in the end to claim victory – and win the Freedom Cup.

The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup for another year and defeated England, Ireland and Italy during their Northern Tour. Their only other defeat was against France at Stade de France, with Cam Roigard lining up opposite Antoine Dupont in a 30-29 thriller.

Kirk told reporters last week that the decision to part ways with Robertson has come as a “crucial mid-point in the four-year World Cup cycle.” That said, Robertson’s 74 per cent winning record won’t be seen as a marker for the next head coach.

“I think trajectory is a good word to apply. We weren’t seeing the trajectory that we wanted and I think fans will probably share that view, that there were ways that we were playing and ways we were falling a bit short of the excellence we’re looking for,” Kirk explained.

“It never really got addressed over the year so I think that was certainly a theme.

“I don’t want to be specific because that puts a cross on the forehead of the new coach,” he answered when asked what the new coach needs to do better. “I don’t want to be specific about what a new coach ought to be or not to be doing.

“When we go through the process of appointing a new coach, those new coaches will clearly present their plans and the way in which they go about coaching.”