Scott Robertson has continued to put the heat on New Zealand Rugby over his future with another come and get me plea to rival Test nations.
Robertson has garnered big headlines in New Zealand today after a podcast appearance where he says he’s ready to coach a team at the World Cup, and revealing his chats with Eddie Jones, who will finish up at the helm of England next year.
The latest podcast appearance on Jim Hamilton’s The Big Jim Show comes exactly four weeks after Robertson told Fox Sports’ Christy Doran that he would consider coaching the Wallabies and any other Test nation if he continues to be rejected by New Zealand.
The Crusaders coach’s timing will be particularly galling to the man who beat him for the ABs job in 2019, with Ian Foster under enormous pressure following four defeats in five Tests.
Robertson told Jim Hamilton, a former Scotland Test player, that his rejection by New Zealand Rugby after the 2019 World Cup had taught him to “keep your options open”.
“If New Zealand Rugby want me, great,” he said. “If there is another country – I wouldn’t go to a club now – I really want to go to Rugby World Cup. I genuinely want to go to a couple.
“It’s one job (All Blacks coach) and when someone doesn’t give it to you, you have to think differently, about what opportunities are out there.
“I’m 47, I’ll be 52 by the time of the next Rugby World Cup … I want to go to two or three and test myself, push myself. I am open [to offers], yeah.”
Robertson said his main goal was to win the World Cup with New Zealand.
“I want to win the World Cup, but I want to win it with two different countries. I haven’t said it publicly before, but it would transcend,” he said.
“It would be great to win a World Cup with your own country, which I want to do. That is the foremost thing.
“But I would love to do it with another country. I’m not sure what order it is.
“I’m not sure how that plays out, those decisions are not mine.
“I would love to win two and have a different expectation, different culture.
“You have got to adapt to the country that you are coaching and get the best out of them. It’s when someone goes ‘how did he do that’? That is pretty special.”
Robertson met with Jones in Sydney during England’s Test series defeat of the Wallabies.
“We have a good relationship. My best mate lives over there and I went to the Test with him and it was a great experience.
“I took the wife over, and it was good to get away to Sydney for the weekend.
“You have to keep your options open … I’ll be coming into my seventh year as the Crusaders coach next year. I have loved it, it has been incredible, but no one lasts in a job forever so I am open.”
The Western Force has locked in their scrum-half options for the upcoming 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with Ian Prior re-signing and Henry Robertson joining the club from the Waratahs
Prior has signed a new two-year deal with the Force after making a historic 100th appearance for the club in the memorable Round 15 win against the Hurricanes at HBF Park during the 2022 regular-season finale.
The experienced playmaker, who also reached 100 Super Rugby caps in 2021, captained the Force for four seasons between 2018 to 2021 and has been an important figure on and off the pitch since joining in 2014.
As one of only three Force players to play 100 matches for the club, Prior’s leadership and skill will continue to prove crucial as he enters his tenth campaign in Western Australia.
Prior is determined to help the Force perform and maintain the strong family culture in 2023 and 2024.
“I’m extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to represent the blue jersey for another two seasons,” Prior said.
“I feel like I played some of my best rugby this year and still have the hunger to keep getting better.
“I’ll be looking to use my experience to make sure everyone knows what we’re representing, and what the jersey means to former players, the staff, our partners, and our supporters.”
“It’s an exciting new chapter for the club with the regeneration of the squad and coaching staff. I’m looking forward to building on the legacy that those before us have built to ensure we’re making them proud with our own contributions.”
Robertson joins the Force on a one-year contract from the NSW Waratahs, where he made seven Super Rugby appearances, including two matches against the Force.
He found his progression hampered by the feats of Jake Gordon and Jack Grant in the No.9 jersey.
The 22-year-old, who debuted in Round 2 last year against the ACT Brumbies, is currently enjoying an impressive Shute Shield campaign with Sydney University, with the side sitting in second place.
The former Junior Wallaby said he can’t wait to link up with some familiar faces in the Force squad ahead of the upcoming season.
“I’m happy to be given the opportunity to get into a new environment to meet and work with new people,” Robertson explained.
“I’ve worked with Tom Robertson, Ryan McCauley, and George Poolman before, who I’ve spoken with about the club. I’m really looking forward to joining a hard-working group.
“I want to be playing consistent rugby at the Super Rugby level. I’m aiming to take any opportunity to develop my game and play senior rugby as much as possible.”
Cronulla Sharks have enlisted the help of French rugby legend Frederic Michilak to boost the kicking games of their halves Matt Moylan and Nicho Hynes.
Coach Craig Fitzgibbon worked with the 77-Test star in 2019 at the Roosters, where the French ace helped Luke Keary.
“I had a quick Google and looked him up on YouTube to see his highlights when he first came in,” Moylan said.
“It’s good to have someone of his stature around the club.
“He’s been with us the last few weeks and it’s been enjoyable working with him.
“He’s mainly working on how we strike the ball and focused on helping us get a better routine (in our kicking action).
“Wade (Graham) speaks a bit of French at home and I’ve tried to pick up a bit … but I’m hopeless.”
Hurricanes coach Jason Holland says he’d love to lure ex-All Blacks centre Ngani Laumape back to Super Rugby, but doesn’t like his chances.
The 15-Test No.12, whose last outing was against Australia in 2020, is back in NZ after completing the final year of a three-year multi-million dollar move to Stade Francais.
“I would always be interested in Ngani,” Holland told Stuff. “If he was keen to play in New Zealand I would be really interested but I think at this stage, unless something massively changes from NZ Rugby, he will probably be heading offshore at the end of the NPC.
“Who knows? He’s the sort of No 12 that is pretty vital in rugby these days.”
Prior to his departure Laumape spoke about the offer he’d received from NZR.
“Yeah, pretty disappointing,” Laumape said in June 2021. “I think I offer something in the midfield that no other midfielder can offer in New Zealand. At the end of the day it’s a business, they did what they had to do and I have to do what’s best for me and my family and my kids. There’s no hard feelings, I understand it is what it is.”
The All Blacks have hardly been settled at No.12 with Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Quinn Tupaea all being used and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck having just debuted.
WEST
Roar Guru
NZRU CEO Robinson should resign, take the board with him.. Farah Palmer · Ajit Balasingham · Bart Campbell · Rowena Davenport · Mark Hutton · Bailey Mackey · Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy.. I mean seriously. Talk about pc gone wrong here. Enough of the BS. NZR should be focused on making NZ rugby the best it can be.. not some woke nonsense to make everyone feel welcome.
BleedRedandBlack
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more, but what do we know? To them we're the online mob having a panic attack while their masterplan comes to fruition.
WEST
Roar Guru
We need to start doing what’s best for the Black Jersey.. it’s been neglected for to long. Like appointing the best coach in NZ, start putting the best players in their specialist positions. Get the best people involved in the assistant positions, get the best rugby people making the right decisions for NZ rugby as a whole. People who actually know what they’re doing and have the qualifications and experience to back it up. All of which we’re currently doing the opposite.
BleedRedandBlack
Roar Rookie
Maybe NZR are blinking. https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/300649990/nz-rugby-boss-mark-robinson-refuses-to-endorse-all-blacks-coach-ian-foster-beyond-south-africa Robinson clearly believes the best place for him ATM is in Europe, dealing with a whole bunch of WR issues. Maybe he is also using that to provide political distance while he weighs his next decision. Like most I doubt moving in Ryan is part of a plot to set up Robertson's team before he arrives to save the day, but it is at least functionally possible, particularly if the rumours are right and Leon MacDonald, another who was on Robertson's ticket in 2019, being recruited as backs coach post SA. If that happened NZR would look utterly ridiculous if they refused to then recruit Robertson. For all the justified scepticism about NZR's attitude towards Robertson, particularly after the early renewal of Foster's contract, Robertson's fate is a major political threat to both Robinson and the board. If they confirm Foster after another hanging on by his fingernails revival and Robertson ends up with England, and sooner rather than later, then NZR is in massive trouble. While the provinces cant unseat the board directly they can have a general meeting, can pass a vote of no confidence. And that's just the provinces. The public mood will be poisonous. And as for what criteria NZR apply, its not so much that they exclude domestic only coaches its just the weighting they place on international experience is so great when assessing AB head coach applicants that a provincial failure like Foster can get the job ahead of a potential World Cup winner like Robertson. But even then, there might be some movement on that. In a largely ignored part of Hansen's rant, Hansen stated quite explicitly that Robertson could got straight from Super Rugby to All Blacks. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/all-blacks-rugby-steve-hansen-speaks-out-on-ian-foster-scott-robertson-and-slams-nz-rugby-for-not-doing-their-job/TE7ZFH7YUKKWD7WVLOGY5TFTIQ/ Maybe even dear old Shag is repositioning himself for what might be a new regime. Graham Henry wont escape though. If Foster goes, he won't be able to avoid the blame.
WEST
Roar Guru
Either way if we lose another top quality coach to overseas.. The public won’t be happy. That’s part of the bigger problem within NZR, we just can’t keep them here. Not sure what the solution is? Can’t blame them for wanting to broaden their horizons, but it’s definitely taking its toll on the players who don’t get access to a quality coach. This policy of having overseas experience before coaching the National side is getting old, imo Robinson would be an exception. Razor has more than enough experience at top level, also his strong character and leadership qualities are unique and hard to find these days.. If you compare Fozzy & Razor, it’s like night and day. Ones named after a muppet and the other is called Razor because of his tackle abilities.
BleedRedandBlack
Roar Rookie
"All Blacks win 2-0 or even 1-1 Foster hangs in there. Boks win 2-0, and Ray is gonna get the call." I really, really hope the latter is the case. There are certainly astonishing numbers of AB supporters who are hoping for a two nil defeat so more of the deadwood can be removed from the coaching panel. I just have zero faith in NZR. With them, the incompetence goes bone deep, as Hansen would say. All their decision making is based around the protection of their gigantic, hypersensitive egos. An AB victory in either of those games will certainly be used to justify keeping Foster through to RWC 2023. Who said the TRC was uninteresting? In other news https://www.rugbypass.com/news/new-irfu-deal-means-farrell-wont-succeed-jones-as-england-coach/ Green is out, so its down to Black and White. And White has just been given far more incentive to get Robertson involved, given their first choice is gone. Who blinks first? Or do either at all?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
17 years of coaching in NZ before Glasgow didnt count?
Suzy Poison
Guest
Especially with Ray's connection with Ronan O'Gara who is turning La Rochelle into a weapon team. But Razor could be coaching the All Blacks sooner than we think. Interesting weekend of sport coming up next weekend. All Blacks win 2-0 or even 1-1 Foster hangs in there. Boks win 2-0, and Ray is gonna get the call.
ScottD
Roar Guru
So the moral that story is to not coach Australia?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I think he is a gamble no matter who buys him. I also think he probably has a big future as a International coach but the assistants role is a good place to start for any coach wanting to become a test coach. Now its about which nation hires him and then we see..... I cannot see England hiring him now. Maybe 3 WC down the road if he is a success.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No the last winner was a SA coach NH. He spent 8 years learning before he went to Munster. You seem to be bringing up where they did a small coaching stint rather than where they started their coaching career. Im saying they have all started their careers in either SA, NZ or Aus.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
No that would be a lie.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You dont get anywhere near finals at WCs by losing 3 games Geoff. Thats the whole point of difference with test coaching v club coaching .
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As I've said, they all start somewhere, & now it's Razor, that has more, than just runs on the board.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Crusaders hadn’t won a championship in, what, 8 yrs? By the time Scott took over. I think the Crusaders legacy hides the amount of work he needed to do to turn it around. You’re right, he is a good man-manager, like Cheika was, the difference is he surrounded himself with a strong team and developed good strategies too IE SR final dissection of the Blues. There are certainly more difficult teams to coach to success than the Crusaders, don’t get me wrong. But it’s not like just anyone can do it. Still, it probably not enough to get him a HC gig outside NZ (or inside) at this stage.
SDHoneymonster
Guest
France wouldn't be interested as I believe Galthie has signed on until 2027, but it IS worth pointing out Robertson speaks French... he'd definitely be in the frame if Galthie had to leave early.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Its called the Champion & Challange Cups. Pro14 also was where that last WC winning coach came from. Plenty bubbles are brush in Europe. Brothwick won the Prem but bubble burst in Europe because he still has learnings
Geoff
Roar Rookie
Be honest, you don't like the fact he coaches the crusaders and they keep winning titles.
Geoff
Roar Rookie
Yeah and who won the final.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
If coaches could only manage 1 T1 team then it would be harder to get coaches. Did Hansen and Henry ruin NZ parochialness when they managed NZ after already coaching Wales. I am sure the Argies are happy to have Chekia and couldn't care he was previous with Oz.