Why Scott Robertson is 'exactly' the coach England 'need' to succeed Jones
Former international fullback Mike Brown believes Scott Robertson is “exactly the person” England “need” to succeed head coach Eddie Jones after next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Six-time Super Rugby winning coach Robertson is a fan favourite in New Zealand, but he was famously overlooked for the All Blacks’ top job, which went to Ian Foster instead.
The rugby guru known as ‘Razor’ has won trophies every where he’s plyed his trade, since embarking on his coaching journey as an assistant coach with Canterbury in 2008.
But the former All Blacks backrower etched his name into New Zealand Rugby history, and arguably made his name as a world class coach, by guiding the Crusaders to an unparalleled Super Rugby dynasty.
While he won trophy after trophy, year after year, Robertson was never able to make that step up to the national team setup – and New Zealand Rugby may now pay the price.
As reported earlier in the week by the Daily Mail, Robertson has reportedly spoken with England about replacing Jones after next year’s World Cup in France.
While the 48-year-old would rather replace Foster at the All Blacks, it’s believed that he’s one of a few candidates on the Rugby Football Union’s shortlist.
Speaking on SENZ Breakfast, 72-Test veteran Mike Brown reflected on what it was like to play under Razor at the Barbarians.
“For me to do the Barbarians it was a big draw that Razor was involved. Obviously watching the Crusaders from over here, (I) was a big fan of his and what he’s doing there so wanted to see it up close and it exceeded my expectations to be honest,” Brown said.
“In terms of England, (he) would be exactly the person that they kind of need I think to kind of lift that environment and get them out of playing with a bit of fear.
“In terms of him, the way he’s just such a good people person, I’ve not really experienced to that level before with any coaches that I’ve had.
“The way he connects with people, the way he understands personalities, the way he just makes you feel so comfortable like you’ve known him for years, I just loved every minute of it.”
England have played three Test matches during the Autumn Internationals so far, including a historic 30-29 loss against Argentina.
While they were able to bounce back with an emphatic win over Japan the week after, England had to dig deep to salvage an incredible draw against the All Blacks last weekend.
Down by 19-poitns with less than 10 minutes to play, England ran in three rapid tries to level the Test at 25-all.
But with the chance to control possession and potentially win the Test, flyhalf Marcus Smith settled for the draw and kicked the ball into touch – they didn’t lose, but they didn’t win either.
Expanding on why Robertson was the coach England “need” after the 2023 World Cup, Brown said England appear to be playing with “a bit of fear” at the moment.
“I honestly feel like he’s the sort of people they kind of need to make the step up. I just feel like they’re playing within themselves,” he said.
“People like Marcus Smith, they’re playing one way for their club and then you see that mentality shift when they’re playing. The example on the weekend when he’s kicking the ball out to take the draw, if he’s in a Quins shirt… they’d never kick the ball out ever.
“So why he’s doing that in an England jersey, for me, just points to the environment and maybe they’re playing within themselves, a bit of fear.
“They haven’t played their best rugby until 10 minutes of that New Zealand game and they suddenly had to push the envelope and do some stuff.
“Just speaking to him, he seems to have a great awareness of himself and what sort of people he would need around him to fill in the gaps that maybe he’s not so good at.”
England have one more Test match to play this year and it’s another mouth-watering blockbuster between two nations with a point to prove less than a year out from the World Cup.
The two finalists from the last World Cup in Japan, South Africa and England, will run out to Twickenham this weekend for a crunch clash between two top teams.
Following the thrilling Test against the All Blacks last weekend, Brown said the Springboks will be “a different beast.”
“We know what the South Africans are like; physical, set piece, kicking game. I just hope that nine, 10 minutes hasn’t just papered over some of the cracks in terms of the way they’re playing.
“Let people like Marcus Smith run the game and play the way we know he and others can, and really push the envelope in terms of their attack especially.
“It could be a big old physical battle but it’ll be a long day if they don’t start the way they finished against the All Blacks.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments