New Zealand’s Scott Robertson and Australia’s Joe Schmidt will start a fresh Bledisloe Cup rivalry this year and Razor has already given his two cents on what Wallabies fans can expect from his Kiwi counterpart.
Robertson says he’s expecting Australia to bounce strongly back for the annual Bledisloe Cup battle now they’re in good hands with Schmidt at the helm.
Both nations have replaced their coach since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with Robertson taking over from Ian Foster despite New Zealand falling by just one point in the final against South Africa.
The Wallabies had a horror show in France; failing for the first time to make it out of their pool, with Eddie Jones paying the price for their early exit.
(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Jones made some wild selection choices while the inexperienced cohort appeared clueless on the field.
New Zealander Schmidt, who was part of the All Blacks coaching set-up in France, was last week announced as Jones’s replacement.
Robertson said the veteran coach is the right man at the right time for the Wallabies.
“He’s got a great CV – he’s a good pair of hands and is experienced so it’s good timing for Australia and him,” Robertson told Stan Sport on Tuesday while attending the Australian Open.
“There’s no outs. You’ll know where you need to be on the field and know what the expectations are of you.
“He’s a great rugby mind. He’ll be clear.”
Dates and venues for the two-Test 2024 Bledisloe Cup series – one in Australia and one in New Zealand – are yet to be announced, with the Wallabies looking to break a drought lasting more than 20 years.
Despite the gulf in World Cup performances, former Crusaders title-winning coach Robertson expects Australia to be competitive.
The Wallabies have lost two of their past four Bledisloe Tests by three points or fewer, suffering heartbreak in Melbourne in 2022 after a controversial late call by referee Mathieu Raynal.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“It’s been a long time since you held it up, but there’s periods in games – a famous moment back here, our French friend … it can swing quite quickly,” Robertson said.
“It comes down to the passion on both sides, it’s really clear every time you see it played.
“The importance on the night, it’s really critical, doesn’t matter what form.”
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
SA are killing rugby ...grrrr..Cmon man ...I credit you with more nous than that . :angry:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
England pack are a real handful...Just ask the Boks ..A little bit more attacking nous and they would have been in the final not SA .....Borthwick and co know this ...In fact Englands biggest challenge ever is to actually score tries ...But....here is a problem for them......learning and experimenting to play more expansively , admirable sure ...But , NZ at home not the best place to do that...They will smash England on counters because thats their bread and butter . I am so looking forward to it.
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep he needs to be told to shut up about it. If he cant then move him on.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Sad..... So according to you no domestic coach has ever had a team for so long so that means Razor cant coach at test level? AGAIN name a coach who has had such success ANYWHERE.... Plenty of coaches have had sides for many years and never been anywhere near as successful and ALL longterm coaches maintain a stable team roster within that 7 year period.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And you seem to be saying they have lost already. What ifs dont count. Never will. What if the ABs win each game by 50 plus? Yet again your hatred for anything NZ rugby comes out strong.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
We don't have the finances of England? What utter BS! Have you ever heard of Silver Lake & the many other sponsors the NZRFU has in place?
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yes but he's still had that international experience , & every coach has to start somewhere. Your assumptions have yet to be proved. In reference to DMac, he wasn't the only one that didn't perform, but to say being tanked is being delusional, as most know how good those made up teams in the NH are. Remind me again, how those NH nations performed again at the recent RWC? In fact since your 6N tournament has been in play, NO NH nation has won the RWC.
MO
Roar Rookie
Well we’ve got a few ex AB props salted around now. That should help.
Short-Blind
Roar Rookie
Nup we are gold medalists at giving away stupid penalties JUST when we don't need them (i.e. in good attacking position or promising move). I'm sure Joe Schmidt will have it in his top 5 low hanging fruit to fix.
Short-Blind
Roar Rookie
True - wasn't comparing them to our 10's. Just wondered if he was up to the big task of being the anointed AB 10. Big shoes to fill. DMac got a rails run in last year's SR with a Chief's pack and 9 giving him golden front foot ball. I'd like to see Carter Gordon and a few of our other 10 aspirants would go given the same quality ball and space. Here's hope the Ozzie packs can step up and do that.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
He is the coach and the more he talks about it the bigger issue it becomes.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
And when players were brought in they failed to make an impact and the injuried player was better upon their return.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
And did not very good except his first year at u20. Second year of u20 he finished the lowest NZ had ever finished. With the Baabaas he did good with a team of NH players v NZ players. When his team was mainly NZ and DMac at 10 they got tanked by Quinns and Saints without their test players. If that’s what we can look forward to it might not mske it to 2027.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Name a coach who had the same players for all that time. Best I can think is Nouves for France. How long was Ryan with Razor. His amazing maul defence at lower levels is a yellow card issue at test. If Razor wants to play the defensive game like the Saders test rugby will be much harder.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
No really. How he does in the 6N will cause the most pressure, followed by the Nov series, the July tests are just about not losing by 40+. Borthwick has 1 title to his name as coach, he is not the "best coach ever" who is expected to win everything and restore them to the top team. Lose a game to England and you could see NZ drop to 5th.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Like SA they are killing rugby and losing a game to that style won't be well received. A loss to England will be same as a loss to Argentina. Razor is expected to restore NZ, losing to a team who see 3rd in the 6N as success won't be seen as Razor on the right path. If they lose one game to England that's two years in a row they have failed to win a home series.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Yes but they will come with a game plan to play smart. We will see how it goes with the 6Ns
Bluffboy
Roar Rookie
Everything and everyone is negative towards England in New Zealand Brendon, you know that! Question: If the All Blacks do win 2-0 will there be crushing pressure on Borthwick being beaten by a New Coach and Rookie to boot.
Cassandra
Roar Rookie
I'd love to see players facing consequences for poor discipline. I think that would go a long way to turning things around.