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'Who was the alpha?': The big learning points in Scott Robertson's career
Scott Robertson is bringing something new to the All Blacks, it’s a point of difference that the serial Super Rugby champion has developed over his playing and coaching career.
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That career started in Mount Maunganui, but then settled in Christchurch after his form with Bay of Plenty in the NPC impressed Canterbury scouts.
A Crusaders debut in 1996 was just reward for his team-first attitude, and a hunger to jump in the deep end.
“I loved the physical side of the game, loved the contact,” he told 1News. “Growing up, I always wanted to figure out who was the alpha in the other team, who was the big dog? I’ll go get him for you.”
With an attitude like that, it wasn’t long before higher honours came calling. Robertson became All Black 974 in 1998 and the lessons started flooding in. Lessons that would inform his coaching style today.
“It was hugely informative for me, learning to enjoy the pressure, learning to deal with being in and out of the team, and learning to trust in and believe in myself. All of the skills I learned then would go on to help me as a coach.
“Once I became an All Black I knew I wanted to be an All Black coach. The longer I was around Wayne Smith, Wayne Smith taught me the love of the game. What it can give you, the great rewards, the commradery, the people that you meet, the travel and amazing highs and the lows.”
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After finishing his playing career with seasons in France and Japan, Robertson committed his time to the quest for coaching knowledge, surrounding himself with some of New Zealand’s finest rugby minds. Robbie Deans was his first port of call, and the then Crusaders coach said there would be an opportunity at the club when Robertson was ready for it.
Razor landed at his local Sumner club, perenial losers in their division, but not for long.
“I learnt to inspire someone who was a bricklayer, people form all parts of life. You had to learn how to win in the wind, the southerly rain, you had all these challenges. How do you inspire, motivate, connect a group together? That’s how I learnt to get a vision for a team.”
In 2017 he got his chance in the Crusaders’ coaches box, having turned out successful campaigns with Sumner, Canterbury and the New Zealand U20s. Five years later, he was a serial Super Rugby winner with 100 of games as Crusaders kingpin under his belt.
As he sat down with Scotty Stevenson, the interviewer shared an observation that there was no memorabilia or trophies on display in the Robertson house, just a patu (Maori weapon/club made from pounamu/greenstone) Razor had received from the Crusaders.
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“The story behind it is pretty powerful, it was for the 100 games as coach of the Crusdaers.
“It’s so unique, it holds so much mana, people are just drawn to it, and they can touch it and get energy from it. It’s a great conversational piece and a big part of my life.”
Robertson offers a candid and transparent understanding of his strengths and weaknesses as a coach, claiming to be good at starting initiatives but not so good at finishing them. He builds his coaching group and staff around him to compliment and complete his skillset, and has brought together his first choice personnel in the All Blacks’ coaches box.
“I had 11 years as a head coach coming into this, and I have a great coaching group around me, people I can trust, and who will challenge me and support me. There are massive expectations and my preparation to meet those is really good. I’ve got good mentors, I’ve got good daily habits and I have good energy. I know adversity is going to come, but I have to face that.”
Walking the walk as well as talking the talk, Razor is known for his emphasis on theming each campaign to give his players a clear identity and vision for success.
“I’ll take plenty of things that I have learned with me, but the All Blacks has its own incredible story. I’m a storyteller by nature so we want to get into the weeds – who are we? Where are we going? It’s my job to inspire them and connect us all. How do we create a culture for these guys to shine each and every week?
“One thing I am very proud of is that my teams are mentally and physically tough. When it comes to finals footy they step up. The biggest games, the biggest moments, that’s what we are about. This sport has given me a stage and I love that. Full stadiums, big games. It’s what drives me and it’s what drives great teams.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Can’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
1 Go to commentsNice piece of writing. And yes the Sharks pulled a rabbit from the hat and were a little lucky with that penalty try that wasn’t given… however the Sharks (with their resources) should be way more consistent and should be putting teams like Claremont away for breakfast. I expect more from them and hope they kick on now.
8 Go to commentsJust what the Sharks needed to get things going in the right direction Defence on the outside really creates havoc for the whole team and needs to be addressed.
8 Go to commentsWell done guys both teams will be ready to play knockout rugby.
1 Go to commentsSurprised that Ramos isn't starting at 15. But what a squad of galacticos!
2 Go to commentsWhy is it a snub? What journalistic garbage is that? Sure the guy is a great player, but there are plenty of loose forwards and not all of them can be Springboks. Also, I know of no-one who doubts Rassie’s judgment. South Africa has a conveyor belt of loose forwards that just keeps producing, so the competition is intense. I certainly wish him well, but there is no entitlement and there is no snub.
17 Go to commentsSkelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
6 Go to commentsSpot on Ben. Dead right. Havili looked great at 10. Easily the highest rugby IQ of any NZ player these days. Getting a kick charged down is a result of getting used to adjusting your depth to the line at 10, which he will sort out with time. But other than that it was an outstanding first effort in that position this year. I think the NZ media has misunderstood this directive from Razor. Havili might rank behind B Barrett this year, but Beuden is 33 this month and won't last much longer. DMaC is great but flaky and not really a test match animal (his efforts in Dunedin versus Aus last year for example). If Razor can't have Mounga, DMaC is too unstructured for Razor (and is just too small for test rugby). Havili will end up our first choice first five, and in partnership with Jodie will be excellent. Two triple threat operators in tandem, and big bodies and tough tacklers to boot. Jordoe will be the ABs goal kicker. I am an Aucklander and Blues (and Warriors) fan, but Havili at 10 is going to be sensational in time… he can be the best first five in the world by the end of this year. No question.
6 Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
8 Go to commentsGood riddance
1 Go to commentswel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
6 Go to commentsHard to disagree with the 5 points - with the exception that Wilson should be a squad member but, depending on the other loose forward selections, is not yet a shoo-in. McReight is. Aussie is looking a lot better this year and JS has some selection options. Also, Havili’s tendency to get caught, charged down is also a liability at times but he seemed focused (mostly) and is definitely a consideration for utility back-up. Still feel Reihana is a better prospect at 1st five for Saders.
6 Go to commentsYeah nah, still not sure on Havili tbh. Even though I’m a Crusaders fan through and through I’d be stunned if Razor considers him after seeing some of the stunning talent coming through up North.
6 Go to comments