Why France should break protocol for Crusaders' coach Scott Robertson
Having missed out on the All Blacks’ head coaching role, Scott Robertson will settle into the task of regenerating the Crusaders and gunning for a fourth consecutive Super Rugby title.
The Crusaders’ head coach is contracted for another two years at the franchise until 2021 and will be off-contract later that year. He may have another shot at the All Blacks coaching gig halfway through the next World Cup cycle if New Zealand Rugby’s succession planning goes south.
However, the demise of the All Blacks over the next two years to the point where the coaching staff is cleaned out is a very unlikely scenario. Foster is at short odds to get a contract extension if he can maintain a strong home record and keep losses at two or fewer a year.
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That would mean Robertson will have to look elsewhere if he is to coach at the next World Cup – but that might allow him to tick the box seemingly required in order to coach the All Blacks at a later date.
Despite winning a major title in all but one year of his coaching career so far, one sticking point that is argued against Robertson getting the All Blacks’ top job is his lack of overseas coaching and international-level experience.
Of all the overseas landing spots on offer, the most attractive international coaching destination is France, where the national side has underperformed for nearly a decade but still holds ‘sleeping giant’ potential.
As the hosts of the 2023 World Cup, France will have a desire to be in the best shape possible. Unique circumstances call for unique measures.
What could be a more perfect situation for Robertson to prove his international credentials than by taking France deep into the World Cup as the host nation?
There are few countries that have national playing pools that can provide the depth that top-level coaches want. France, with its own domestic Top 14 league, is one of them.
Despite being known for splashing cash on the global superstars of the game, the Top 14 has cracked down on foreign-player numbers in recent years, forcing teams to field more French-eligible players.
And despite all the criticisms lobbed at France for their haphazard play over the last decade, French rugby is on an upswing.
They have won the last two World under-20 Championships, proving that they still possess some of the world’s best age grade talent. Many of this crop will be filtering through to the top side by the next World Cup.
Their Six Nations squad for 2020 includes some brilliant young stars as they have finally moved on from some elder statesmen following their quarterfinal exit in Japan.
Louis Carbonel, Romain Ntamack and Mathieu Jalibert will fight over the vacated 10 jersey left by Cammy Lopez. Even Toulon’s talented flyhalf Anthony Belleau hasn’t made the squad this year.
Antoine DuPont is the French version of Faf de Klerk and is a halfback who can become the best in the game. Along with DuPont, a number of Toulouse’s spine has become an integral part of France’s next generation, including hooker and new captain Julian Marchand, and fullback Thomas Ramos.
There is no shortage of dangerous outside backs in Damian Penaud, Teddy Thomas, Gael Fickou and Virimi Vakatawa, who are all brimming with attacking potential.
What they have lacked in recent years, besides the right selections at times, is a coach who can find the balance between tactical smarts and the French ‘firebrand’ style of attack.
The side is consistently inconsistent and is always a risk to offer a limp performance. Too often the national side has made comical errors that have turned the team into a laughing stock.
Rugby evolved and the French lackadaisical approach got left behind.
There is huge untapped potential within the side to be achieved over the next few seasons, which is why Robertson would be a radical but excellent choice to make that happen.
He has proven to be able to lift his players and keep them operating at a high level, bringing a fresh approach to an international game largely coached by an older generation. He could be the motivational type to ignite French rugby and get them to understand the finer details that matter.
The energetic coach has expressed a desire to return to France at some point to coach, having played at Perpignan in the sunset years of his playing days.
The FFR vehemently holds a desire to employ a French coach for the national side. Language barriers aside, sometimes exceptions should be made.
If Robertson comes on the market and France haven’t lifted their performances in the first two seasons under Galthie, the FFR should break the bank and go after Robertson. Even if 2020 is underwhelming, perhaps they could push for a release by the Crusaders to give him a three-year runway.
The recent record of Southern Hemisphere coaches in the Northern Hemisphere adds weight to the decision. Wales, Ireland, and England all captured three Six Nations titles each over the 2010s. New Zealanders Warren Gatland and Joe Schmidt, and Australian Eddie Jones were in charge of seven of them.
There wouldn’t be a side more feared, particularly in New Zealand where many thought he should have got the All Blacks’ job, than a resurgent France coached by Robertson peaking in 2023 for a home World Cup campaign.
Matt Giteau on being smashed in the 2003 RWC final:
Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments