The impression Scott Robertson gives is of an unorthodox, slightly wacky coach who has been extraordinarily successful at national level but is untried yet at international level.
If you Google his name, many posts are of him breakdancing, aside from having a great coaching record so far.
As with many humorous incidents, once is funny, but any more and it loses its flavour. Robertson himself has insisted he will park the breakdancing, and Crusaders player Scott Barrett admitted he hoped ‘Razor’ would keep his moves to himself.
Former All Blacks prop Neemia Tialata has also insisted Robertson stop his breakdancing “for the sake of rugby”.
Robertson himself has admitted he has “a love of the unorthodox”. Sam Whitelock described him as being full of “left-field ideas, some work, some don’t”.
Scott Robertson has an enviable provincial coaching record, including six Super Rugby titles, but in his favour and also against him, he is not from the same conservative cloth as other coaches and he implies he is not about to change.
And why should he? We often complain about the vanilla nature of current coaches and players who are robotic and have lost their individualism.
As soon as Nick Kyrgios or Jordan De Goey step out of line, they are soon crushed by social media and journalists.
So, what will happen to Scott Robertson? Will he make the grade and become All Blacks coach?
(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
He does have some waiting to do, however.
Ian Foster’s contract has been extended to the 2023 Rugby World Cup and even with a poor record, an All Blacks coach has never been fired in the professional era.
Time will tell if Robertson is successful in applying for the role and he also runs the risk of another candidate being preferred in the future.
If he were to miss the All Blacks’ coaching role, I am sure other international appointments could surface.
One of the secrets of Robertson’s success is the mutual respect between himself and his players. He speaks highly of his players and families and they in return feel motivated to reward themselves and the coach.
To avoid any unexpected losses to lower ranked teams, he also treats all opposition with total respect. It is a formula that works at Super Rugby level, but will it be successful at international standard?
I just had a thought and imagined Graham Henry breakdancing! Will a conservative selection panel be brave enough to invest in Robertson as the next All Blacks coach?
Should he have been given the role when he unsuccessfully applied for the head coach role after the 2019 Rugby World Cup failure? Would he have done any worse than Foster?
Unfortunately that boat has sailed and we will never know. Sir Steve Hansen said Robertson needs to stay patient and improve on his weaknesses if he is to succeed Foster.
I would personally love to see Scott Robertson be given a chance at the All Blacks’ coaching role, being a big fan of those who live outside the box, stick to their goals and dreams and stay true to themselves.
But will these characteristics inhibit or enhance his prospects?
Some will say Foster is also just being himself, but so far that doesn’t appear to be highly successful, so why not take the risk and give it to someone who is a little different?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep Peter, but after the end of his current contractual obligations which expire in 2024. By that time, if those in the Hutt, haven't realised his brilliance, then he'd possibly cross the ditch. But IMO, he's a future AB coach in waiting, so look out world.
SDRedsFan
Roar Rookie
I wonder who Razor would select for the Wallabies for the English series?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Spot on Wal.. :thumbup:
Wal
Roar Guru
23 tests (9 as a sub) So whilst he never owned his spot he has plenty of experience as a player. His Career coincided with Tane Randle and Rodney So'oialo.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hardly Uriah, as they both favoured their provincial players, which many still think that cost us the 2003 RWC. Like playing Dean's favourite Leon McDonald over Ma'a Nonu, who up till the end of the pool games, had made more line breaks than any other player at the tournament, & by a considerable margin. As I suggested, read Anton Oliver's book.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
Mitchel possibly deserved it but that's not why he was axed - it was for a whole lot of off field stuff wrt dealing with media, sponsors etc. The issue with playing Rangi at centre in the semi was to do with Umaga's injury and the contention he could play (still unsure who's narrative is correct here). Personally I think Nonu was a major dickhead for much of his career (including 2003) and the fact that they didn't totally trust him without Tana beside him to keep him in line and do his thinking for him - that comes as no surprise to me. Besides they'd already signaled they might use Rangi as cover because he'd run at 13 a couple of times in super rugby (aprt from minutes at the end of games - a number of times) - including one very impressive game at 13 v Transvaal. If personal provincialism was all the rage then why was Nonu even selected ? or why was Mehrts dropped ? This later one's very much a Mitchell originating thing - although Deans took it onboard and they were ultimately right (although Merhts' skill would have been mighty useful at that WC).
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
I think without Deans, Mitchell would have been bereft of ideas. I doubt their very good record would have been achieved.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
NZR need to seriously think about bringing him into the AB coaching Team.....pork-chop foster won't cut it....I would take a bet - half of NZ want Ireland to go 3-0 thus bringing the rethink to bear on pork-chop....
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
It must do Peter. Especially as they get dominated by more physical sides. The lack of adjustment from the leadership group when the side is under the pump may speak to that too. The wise men have a little time before France and MUST iron out these areas before then. It would be arrogant to think otherwise; they are fortunate to have Schmidt's expertise available in the absence of the Professor. McGrath has been a revelation for the Blues this year, as they galvanise what has been an average defense, but Schmidt's involvement has also been palpable.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I hope not, the day I see a middle aged man break dancing after winning a World cup final is the day I stop watching. :silly:
Buzz
Roar Rookie
I hope that he gets the chance to step up to ABs top job. He has been very successful with Crusaders and could transition well into the ABs scene. How much does Super success translate to National Team success? Must be a better chance that what Foster brought with middling at best Super record. 50% win rate with Chiefs. He was understudy to Hansen and annointed for top job... not because of any identified success of his own. What should matter is the ability to coach a consistently successful team.... pretty sure he would like the dancing to go west anyway. The success is our best guide and he's the one with it!
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
An unsettled All Black lineup would have an effect on players confidence surely?
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Great summary Riccardo
Peter Darrow
Roar Guru
Yes
Jacko
Roar Rookie
So he was only successful because he had good players? Isnt that the world of coaching? What you and I cant know is what he would have done with other players or what other players would have done with a different coach so its guessing but he was ther most successful coach of his era and many other era's
PatrickP
Roar Rookie
Very well said and completely agree with your points made.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
The only relevance Hansen has to this conversation revolves around his appointment of, and then endorsement for head Coach, Foster. That and the continuity question. It's my belief that the success of the previous "risky" continuity appointment in 2007 played a large part in Foster's appointment. Maybe as large as his tenure and endorsement by Shag. I don't personally know Hansen or Foster but, like Mitchell, Foster's provincial credentials weren't strong, and as Highlander, and now Paul Cully, have put in print, key areas are seeing imbalance, revolving selection, and repetition of mistakes the statistics cannot hide. Even a fan like me can see the problems in mid-field and the back-row, and to a lesser extent, erosion at set-piece. You know, the areas where our quest for speed has been exploited by Ireland and France, in particular. Speed is great; forwards who can distribute at the gain-line, and even range in the wider channels, do provide options. But we are increasingly seeing isolation and turn-over. A lack of balance, cohesion and composure. Alarmingly for this fan, a lack of combination, something that should being built on now, as we look to France. Look no further than a couple of weeks ago when the Crusaders played complete rugby. A back-row that complemented as a group. An aging war-horse, under the gun in the media, played with a broken finger and gave a clinic at lock. Our best general at pivot running off his 12, varying kicking and attacking points as they unlocked a very good Blues defense. The best full-back in the world, playing at full-back, also delivered a clinic. The Crusaders delivered a blue-print of what the All Blacks are missing, not by much, but missing nonetheless, and there is no greater endorsement of Scott Razor Robertson. He may be a little away from the norm but his players love him and work his plans; it's a great roster but remember, they struggled earlier in the competition...against the other finalist... at home. The culture he has built in Canterbury would bear fruit at the next level, with the right supporting cast, in my opinion. The problem is, will he wait around till "after France". Another good article Peter...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Nope... 2nd. Needle...
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
2010 Hong Kong was huge and remember thinking this kid could be a star...
Jacko
Roar Rookie
So when answering a question "Id consider it if offered" is putting your name forward?