Robertson to coach World XV

Scott Robertson will once again link up with Robbie Deans to coach on the international stage.

Crusaders coach Robertson and Deans will coach a World XV against a Japan XV at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka on November 26, the night before the All Blacks play the Wallabies in Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.

Robertson also worked alongside Deans when a World XV triumphed 47-27 over Japan in Fukuoka on October 28 last year.

‘‘I will head up and connect with Robbie again, it is a pretty special week,’’ Robertson said.

‘‘It is good for me to keep my hand in the coaching side of things. I am looking forward to it.’’

Deans, who won five titles as Crusaders coach between 2000 and 2008, is now in charge of the Panasonic Wild Knights club side in Japan.

The World XV will have internationals from the southern hemisphere, including several All Blacks; this means Robertson is destined to reconnect with several Crusaders who are on shortterm deals with clubs in the lucrative Japanese market.

‘‘Guys like Matt Todd and Izzy Dagg,’’ Robertson said. ‘‘A lot of guys who are up in Japan, currently, will be in that team; from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand and Japanese players as well. It will be a true World XV, a strong side. We just have to get some excitement up and let them play in a true World XV-Barbarians style, so it will be a great week to be involved in.’’

When Japan meet the All Blacks in Tokyo on November 3, it will be the first time their coach Jamie Joseph, a former All Blacks loose forward, has coached against his country’s test team.