Following this year’s Rugby World Cup Live, Scott Robertson will serve as the All Blacks’ head coach, New Zealand Rugby has announced.
Before of the tournament in France, it had already been announced that the existing manager, Ian Foster, would leave his position.
By their standards, New Zealand has had a difficult couple of years, losing a home Test series to Ireland for the first time in their history.
Since head coach of the Crusaders Robertson will take over the position before the end of the year, the search for his replacement is already over.
The 48-year-old has signed a four-year contract that will keep him in that position as coach through the conclusion of the Australia 2027 World Cup.
In 2019, “Razor” had been a contender to succeed Steve Hansen as the head coach, but Foster was chosen by New Zealand Rugby.
After taking over in 2017, Robertson has led the Crusaders to six league championships, making him a Super Rugby winning veteran.
It’s an honor to be named the new All Blacks head coach, Robertson said in a statement following the announcement.
Although the position carries a great deal of responsibility, I’m thrilled to have the chance to add to the history of the black jersey.
As a coach or player, representing your country is the highest honor in sports, thus being granted the chance to do so is an honor in and of itself. I am impatient.
“The choice to name the next All Blacks head coach ahead of the Rugby World Cup was not taken lightly, but we feel it was the correct option for New Zealand Rugby and the All Blacks and will set the team up for future success,” said Patsy Reddy, chairwoman of New Zealand Rugby.
Roberton was an All Blacks player who won 23 caps, but despite his success at the club level, he has never served as an international coach.
With Scott Robertson, the All Blacks choose crowd-pleasing antics, a stark contrast to the somber march of suit-clad men.
All Blacks Live Scott Robertson is an ardent surfer and is well-versed in surfing waves, but managing the All Blacks may prove to be the most challenging job of his career because failure is nearly a given.
As current boss Ian Foster is all too aware, the position is burdened with the expectations of a country that is obsessed with sports and a public that is ready to demand resignations when performances on the field fall short.
Foster has already been ruled unable to remain in the post beyond the Rugby World Cup, even if the All Blacks win it, which is still five months away.
Foster lost public favor after, despite leading New Zealand to both Rugby Championship championships since taking charge in 2019,
Foster lost support from the general public after New Zealand’s first home series loss to Ireland and their first home test loss to Argentina last year, despite leading them to both Rugby Championship victories since taking over in 2019.
But, Robertson has long had strong backing, and during the team’s 2022 slump, a large number of supporters campaigned for him to take Foster’s place.
Since taking over the Canterbury Crusaders in 2017, the former Test loose forward has only experienced success, helping the team win six Super Rugby championships.
