Razor ‘optimistic’ about All Blacks job
Champion Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is optimistic he can take charge of the All Blacks.
Robertson has put his name in the mix to replace All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen who is standing down after this tear’s World Cup in Japan where he is seeking a hat-trick of titles.
Robertson completed his own hat-trick in Super Rugby last Saturday, with a third successive title in as many years in charge continuing his golden run.
The 44-year-old will go in front of a New Zealand Rugby interview panel in December, so has plenty of time to get his plans in order.
A glass-half-full character, Robertson confirmed on Monday at the Crusaders’ victory parade in Christchurch that he felt he had a chance.
He has done everything he could in terms of pushing his cause through the Crusaders where he has proven a magical motivator and provided some astute technical and tactical touches.
‘‘I’m a pretty optimistic person – if you have a crack I’d like to think you have a chance,’’ Robertson said, adding he’d have a better feel for his comparative claims later in the year.
‘‘I’ve got to prepare as best I can to put myself forward. I’ve done what I can do so then hopefully I’ll have a great interview and if they want someone, they know who they’re getting with me.
‘‘We’ll wait for December.’’ Hansen’s assistant coach Ian Foster remains favourite to take over in a succession plan. Foster’s chances will likely rest with how the All Blacks do at the global tournament.
If Foster gets the job, then Robertson could find himself in the mix to be an assistant. He certainly has claims to be involved after a meteoric rise through the New Zealand and wider Canterbury system.
Joining the Canterbury NPC team as assistant coach in 2008, the former All Blacks loose forward helped them win five titles while working under head coaches Rob Penney and Tabai Matson. He then took control in 2013 to add a sixth and won the national title again in 2015 and 2016.
When Todd Blackadder headed to Britain at the end of 2016, Robertson stepped up to coach the Crusaders and three consecutive titles have flowed with an exciting brand of fast-paced attack and deadly defence.
Under his watch the Crusaders have lost just five of 56 games on the way to a sensational ‘‘three-peat’’.
Robertson also has the world under-20 championship to his credit after guiding the 2015 New Zealand team to the title in Italy.