Where Scott Robertson's coaching future lies: 'There's going to be a point where I'm just going to say 'Thanks' and go another direction'
When Scott Robertson called time on his playing career in New Zealand, the maverick loose forward headed offshore in search of new challenges. Now, as one of the most respected coaches in world rugby, Robertson could be set to do the same at the end of 2021.
Robertson will take charge of the Crusaders for a fifth campaign next year, having guided the side to four Super Rugby titles on the trot. It could also be his last campaign in charge, with his contract set to wrap up at the end of the season.
Of course, it’s entirely possible that Robertson does re-sign with the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby, but that certainly shouldn’t be taken as a given – especially not after the 46-year-old missed out on the All Blacks head coach role to Ian Foster.
A big factor in Foster’s elevation from All Blacks assistant coach to the head position was reportedly due to his international experience. Foster had spent eight years supporting Steve Hansen, amassing 93 wins and the 2015 Rugby World Cup title over that period.
Robertson, on the other hand, has spent his entire coaching career in New Zealand – first with Canterbury and the New Zealand Under 20s side, and now with the Crusaders.
But speaking on Sky Sports’ The Conversation podcast, Robertson has revealed that international experience could be coming thick and fast in the near future.
“One of my goals is actually to win every competition as a coach as I played in as a player, that’s one of the things I want to do,” he told hosts Rikki Swannell and Joey Wheeler.
Robertson has already achieved that with Canterbury, accumulating three NZ provincial titles between 2013 and 2016, while his time with the Crusaders has reaped similar rewards.
Having represented the All Blacks from 1998 to 2002, Robertson presumably hopes to one day nab all the trophies on offer to the New Zealand national side, including a Rugby World Cup.
Robertson played at the 1999 World Cup when the All Blacks were defeated by France at the semi-finals stage of the competition then bested by South Africa in the bronze play-off.
Following his time in New Zealand, Robertson represented Perpignan in France and Ricoh Black Rams in Japan – which sheds some light on where the in-demand coach likely sees his future.
If France underperforms in 2020, they should break the bank, and protocol, for Crusaders' coach Scott Robertson. @bensmithrugby https://t.co/WuNPZAkah9
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 9, 2020
Robertson has never shied away from the fact that he’d love to return to France in a coaching capacity and almost took up an opportunity to coach Biarritz a number of years ago before taking over at the Crusaders.
Meanwhile, one of Robertson’s mentors, Robbie Deans, has been a long-serving coach with Panasonic in the Top League, which adds another carrot to a potential stint in Japan.
Despite his contract coming to an end next year, however, Robertson has openly said he’d like to continue with the Crusaders, at least in the short-term – and the Crusaders will almost certainly want to keep him on. There are no guarantees, however, and eventually Robertson will say enough is enough – especially if his pathway to coaching the All Blacks remains blocked.
“That’s what I’d like to do [stay on with the Crusaders],” said on The Conversation. “I’d like to. I want to stay loyal.”
“Look, I’ve still got aspirations to go higher and some of those things are outside of my control… There’s going to be a point where I’m just going to say ‘Thanks’ and go another direction, go to [France]. Go where I want to go.”
Imagine seeing @Saracens lock Maro Itoje lining up alongside Brodie Retallick, instead of against him. That's the kind of thing we'd see at @ChiefsRugby, if the new coach had his wish. #SuperRugby #PremRugbyhttps://t.co/6HCJV8qaWG
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 22, 2020
In the meantime, however, Robertson is looming as the likely coach for the Barbarians when they take on the Warren Gatland-coached British and Irish Lions next year, before joining the Lions’ tour to South Africa.
“We’ve had some good conversations the last couple of weeks around the opportunity. I’m looking at potentially being involved with the team, that could play against the Springboks and then stay on in some capacity.
“It wasn’t an assistant role I was wanting it was a learning opportunity for me, [to] help a lot around the professional development and support their current coaching group, it wasn’t about being an assistant as such.
“Those conversations are continuing … it’s a highly likely chance, I’m finding ways I can get there.”
Scott Robertson’s playing and coaching history:
1995 Bay of Plenty
1996 – 2003 Canterbury
1996 – 2003 Crusaders
1998 – 2002 All Blacks
2003 – 2006 Perpignan
2006 – 2007 Ricoh Black Rams
2013 – 2016 Canterbury
2015 – 2016 New Zealand U20
2007 – 2021 Crusaders
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
5 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
29 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments