Warren Gatland has delivered New Zealand Rugby a warning: don’t lose Scott Robertson.
In a fascinating interview on Tuesday morning, Gatland, who has answered an SOS from the Welsh Rugby Union to lead the proud nation through to next year’s World Cup, delivered some high praise to his former adversary.
In a week where the first domino fell, Gatland, who still has ambitions of coaching the All Blacks, said Robertson – the former Test back-rower, who has led the Crusaders to six Super Rugby titles in as many years since taking over in 2017 – deserved to be the next man to coach New Zealand.
While Ian Foster is set to lead the All Blacks through to next year’s World Cup, Gatland encouraged the NZR not to be beaten to the posts and lock down Robertson before someone else does.
“There’s one person at the moment in New Zealand who’s been incredibly successful, in terms of Razor,” Gatland said of Robertson.
“And he deserves an opportunity… if they were going to make a change. You can’t deny his results and stuff, they just stick out like a sore thumb. That’s the way that I look at it, he’s an obvious choice.
“There’s only one standout person, and New Zealand [Rugby] should be doing everything they can to make sure they can secure his services long-term.”
Warren Gatland has issued New Zealand Rugby a warning to not lose Scott Robertson. Photo: Peter Meecham/Getty Images
Gatland, who has replaced his compatriot Wayne Pivac after three underwhelming years at Wales, said the NZR must learn from their mistakes in 2019 and ensure they nail down their preferred coach for 2024 before next year’s World Cup.
“You offer him a contract, don’t you?
“Things have changed in world rugby, in the past, New Zealand would advertise for All Black positions and think that 30 coaches in the world are going to put their names forward, and then all of a sudden they realise, oh actually we’ve only got two people put their names forward, which is what happened last time.
“So you’ve got to change your focus in terms of identifying the people that you want to talk to, you’ve got to keep that as confidential as possible, and that process should be starting now. You can’t wait till after the World Cup and think people are going to come knocking on your door, because that doesn’t happen in professional sport.
“And that’s how other countries are doing it at the moment, they’re drawing up lists of a small number of candidates that they want to talk to over the next few months, and some of them are looking to make announcements early next year.”
Warren Gatland is returning as Wales coach. Photo: David Davies/PA via AP
Gatland’s return to the Principality Stadium comes after he left the role in 2019 following a long, 12-season tenure with Wales.
The New Zealand coach had been thrown up as a candidate to replace Eddie Jones, who is reportedly on the nose with the Rugby Football Union, for next year.
Gatland, however, hosed down those reports simply saying, “I’m not talking about the RFU, I’m here to talk about the Chiefs and Wales. And don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers.”
Springboks star found but questions remain
The curious case of Sbu Nkosi has been solved.
There were grave fears about the health and safety of the Springboks World Cup winner, after the club lost contact with the winger last month.
The Bulls had opened a missing person case with the police on 17 November, six days after the club last had contact with the 26-year-old.
But after the best part of a month, the Bulls released a statement on their website saying the prolific tryscorer was “safe and sound”.
“Once it was established that Nkosi was safe, unharmed and in a position to speak, chief executive Edgar Rathbone went into Nkosi’s home (with the permission of the player),” the Bulls said.
Nkosi, who has scored nine tries in 16 Tests and was a part of the Springboks’ 2019 World Cup-winning, had missed the November Tests with a rib injury.
He earlier faced disciplinary challenges with the Bulls in October, having broken team protocol during a tour of Ireland.
Springboks star Sbu Nkosi is “safe and sound”, according to the Bulls. Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images/Getty Images
Lions star the latest to leave English Premiership as player drains continue
England and British and Irish Lions hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is the latest to leave Exeter, as the player drain from the Premiership continues to take effect.
Months after England teammate Sam Simmonds decided to move to the French Top 14, Cowan-Dickie will also head to France after signing on with Montpellier.
The 29-year-old will join the French heavyweights following next year’s World Cup.
His move once again continues to showcase the added strain in the Premiership, with the salary cap dropping to £5m ($AU9.09m).
“It’s gutting to be leaving,” he told the Exeter website. “I’ve been at the Chiefs for 12 years and it’s all I’ve known.
“That said, this opportunity came up and it was one that I had to think long and hard about. I spoke a lot with my family about it and it wasn’t an easy decision to make in the end.
“Hopefully, I’ve still got plenty of years left in my career, but this is an opportunity for me to go over there and show what I am all about.”
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
Wow that's great news, thanks Muzzo.
John
Guest
I wouldn't say proven coached Japan I think Brown was found out at the Highlanders. Very poor recruitment and selections
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
TBH James it’s been released by the NZRU that Foster won’t be there after the RWC! IMO it’s not soon enough!
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
The results in 2020 were not great, 2021 EOYT were were humbled, then to get all of those home losses early this yr forced Foster to go to the next Gen guys he was avoiding for some reason. Any success I see Foster has gotten has been forced upon him (new assistants included). Preaching to the choir here though lol. But we're not alone.
Nick
Roar Rookie
Hopefully 0% to both SD.
Nick
Roar Rookie
JJ has had excellent success with limited stocks both for Japan & also taking a fairly unspectacular Highlander teams to SR glory. Personally think he's an excellent coach and a very solid plan B if they mucked up the razor situation.
Nick
Roar Rookie
They'd be lynched if they let him go.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep without Razor’s off sider Jas Ryan & also Schmidt coming on board, no doubt his credibility would still be on the down!
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Agree with all of that Muz. Probably just saying when comes International Test rugby they are not matching up against "A" sides. Not saying haven't improved but hard to judge in the World Scale when they just aren't playing full strength sides. Definitely have moved up in tare 2/3 nations no doubt.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well there has been a massive improvement in Japan over the years Bluffboy, & supposedly that can be put down to the strength within the game at club level with so many overseas players coming to play. Along with that there are some quality coaches in the mix at that level, so IMO when the Japan squad is selected, I can imagine that the likes of Jamie & Tony, would know what to look for, going on their past achievements. Going into the next RWC they are, IMO, the massive improvers.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah I was referring to world cups. Henry and Hansen only had 1 loss each but Henry went out in quater Hansen in semi so 1 extra match for 1 loss
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Yep Muzzo, Jamie probably pretty happy at moment, but he had said he resigned for Jpan last time as he didn’t think AB gig was going to be open. If NZR wanted him . it wouldn’t be until after WC when his contract expires anyway. I wouldn’t mind betting Japan are a bit interested in getting Eddie Jones back too. Though thats all guess works from ma , you could well be right!
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Yep playing the game that you love full time and making money doing it, all aboard the tough live roller coaster.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
I think Japan, Italy, Georgia, Fiji and others are tricky teams to play. All of the lets say top 6-8 Nations all rest players when playing them. How can you really judge where they sit on the world scale. Normally the majority of the above are at full strength, given injuries when touring and at test time (maybe not Fiji). So too say Jones, Joseph and Brown have had success with Japan is arguable and to what degree. NOW, not taken away from the big wins they have had, but who is reasonable for those win. Is it the players, coach or both or is it they were under estimated.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Actually Danny, Jamie is pretty happy where he is, as if even the NZRU did want him, he'd cost plenty. Possibly far more than what the present head coach we have now. From most reports, he loves it over there in the Land of the Rising Sun, & that's possibly why Tony went running back. Also, as most have seen with the vast improvement in the Cherry Blossom's.
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
Mitchell 82.1%, Henry 85.4%, Hansen 86.9%. Foster was on 64% before his miracle at Ellis park resurrection(where the NZR brought in the big guns to rescue him). With all the resources available to him at the flagship NZR product, yes he's doing better than his average. Take away his props, then you'll get a instant regression to the mean. Foster is one variable in this formula, isolate, define and remove the other variables to find Fosters true value.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think Bluffboy makes a good point about other coaching gigs having high levels of stress too. I think you’re right in that not every coach wants the AB gig, certainly when looking at the last appointment there was not an overwhelming number of applicants. Although timing was screwed by by NZR. It’s also not that the ABs can’t ever lose, it’s how they lose for most supporters. If we go down swinging but come up short, then fair play to the other team. If we lose and don’t even fire a shot- like Eng in 2019, then yea, that’s going to cop some criticism, regardless of how well the opposition played and controlled the game.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
ATM Jacko!! Even back with Waikato & the Chiefs he never achieved those great heights. Also his percentage has improved with both Ryan & Schmidt being there. Funny that!! Possibly with his selected AB's against the, not so good nations at the RWC his percentage might improve. Still more to come under this buffoon !!
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
I guess if Foster won 23 all would be forgiven? That leaves a dirty taste in my mouth. The RWC now being the pinnacle, means whatever shady Machiavellian moves it took to get it are justified? The what matters more than the how. Maybe I'm being too precious. I'd really like to see what SR is capable of with the AB's.