NZR may regret Razor snub
Unsuccessful All Blacks head coach candidate Scott Robertson has time on his side.
That may be scant consolation to Robertson who is, understandably, probably still feeling bruised after NZ Rugby elected to promote Ian Foster over him as a replacement for Steve Hansen.
Robertson, at just 45, is a young coach. Yet that could mean little in such a fluid, dynamic business as professional rugby.
The harsh reality is timing is everything in this industry. Fine coaches rise through the grades, and New Zealand produces more than its share. Most never get close to the All Blacks’ top job.
Foster isn’t one of them, clearly. He has been appointed for two years, but could be in the position for much longer.
If everything goes to plan in the 2020-21 seasons it’s likely NZ Rugby will automatically roll over his contract through to the 2023 World Cup in France.
Less than acceptable results could result in NZ Rugby taking the bold, and unprecedented, decision to make the job contestable. For Robertson, who is contracted to the Crusaders until the end of the 2021 Super Rugby season, that could dovetail nicely into his timetable.
But it’s unlikely to be a straight shootout between Foster
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson celebrates following the win over the Jaguares in the Super Rugby final in Christchurch this year.
and Robertson, as it was in recent days, if the market is flooded with candidates from within and outside the All Blacks camp.
It’s been reported John Plumtree and Brad Mooar will join Scott McLeod as Foster’s assistants.
In a couple of years one of those men might want a promotion. Warren Gatland will
have also fulfilled his commitments to the British and Irish Lions by that date, and although he’s contracted to the Chiefs until 2023 it’s unlikely they would stand in his way.
Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt or ex-Hurricanes boss Chris Boyd, now at the Northampton club in England, could possibly could enter the mix. Robertson will also field numerous requests from overseas clubs over the next 24 months, who are likely to offer much more than what he’s earning in New Zealand. This could be an added complication.
He would have to weigh up whether there’s any point waiting for NZ Rugby to make a decision, or simply be bold and go overseas to bolster his bank account and upskill himself in a foreign competition.
When Hansen was promoted from assistant to take over from Graham Henry after the 2011 World Cup, he was 52. Henry was 57 when appointed to the top job in late 2003. Foster is 54.
If Robertson is prepared to be patient, and doesn’t rock the boat – and don’t underestimate how important it is for domestic coaches to not upset NZ Rugby – he could, again, be a genuine contender for All Blacks coach.
He’s undoubtedly one of the brightest coaching talents this country has produced in recent times, having taken an underperforming Crusaders team to three consecutive titles since replacing Todd Blackadder ahead of the 2017 season.
This latest setback is a harsh reality check for the charismatic former All Blacks loose forward, who has blasted into the environment with the energy of a school kid who loved everything that can be good about sport.
Robertson is enthusiastic. The public images of him dancing after title wins is a good thing.
It helps promote rugby, especially to the kids who are the lifeblood of the game.
Don’t dare be fooled by his zany antics, though. Robertson can also be ruthless.
He proved that when he dumped the highly popular Wyatt Crockett from the match-day 23 to play the Lions in the 2018 final in Christchurch.
All Blacks loosehead prop Crockett, who had played more than 200 games for the Crusaders and was loved by the senior players, had never played a final in Christchurch and was retiring at the season’s end.
The easy option for Robertson would have been to put Crockett on the bench. Yet he refused to yield. For now Robertson has to focus on the Crusaders. The club will be grateful to have him for the next two years.
If Foster has his contract rolled over in late 2021, through to the 2023 World Cup, the chances are Robertson will be lost to the New Zealand game.
Yes, he could possibly have another crack at the All Blacks job after that tournament. Or possibly later. But it all seems a long time away.
Foster deserves to be All Blacks coach. He won a fair and contestable contest, convincing the NZ Rugby appointment panel his eight years as an assistant to Hansen has given him the tools to do the business.
But in the wake of Robertson’s rejection it’s hard not to feel an opportunity has been missed.