Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Crusaders boss Scott Robertson hires new assistant coach after recent departures

(Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has acted quickly shortly after the departures of two of his assistants in recent weeks.

ADVERTISEMENT

Having lost Andrew Goodman to Irish powerhouse Leinster last month, Robertson has replaced him by signing Tasman assistant coach James Marshall for next season’s Super Rugby Pacific.

The acquisition of Marshall comes just days after Robertson also lost his main right-hand man Jason Ryan to the All Blacks following a coaching reshuffle within the New Zealand national side.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

While Ryan’s void is yet to be filled, the arrival of Marshall brings with it a sense of certainty as the Crusaders target a seventh consecutive title next year.

Just 33-years-old, Marshall is set to enter his third domestic campaign with Tasman after injuries brought an end to his playing career two years ago.

Since then, he has also helped as an assistant coach at the Hurricanes, the Wellington-based Super Rugby Pacific franchise be made more than 50 appearances for across two stints between 2013 and 2020.

The 2016 Super Rugby title-winning fullback also represented Tasman and Taranaki at provincial level, winning an NPC title with the latter side in 2014.

ADVERTISEMENT

Spells in England, Italy and Japan saw Marshall also turn out for London Irish, Aironi and the Coca-Cola Red Sparks, respectively, while he also played two tournaments for the All Blacks Sevens in 2011.

After progressing into coaching, Marshall had promised his family that he would put an end to moving to different locations as he had done throughout his playing career, but that promise has been put on hold for the time being.

“Out of nowhere, Razor gave me a call and asked if I’d be interested in filling the massive shoes of Andrew Goodman,” Marshall said via a statement.

“Although I promised the family I would put a stop to moving around for work, when Razor comes calling, probably the most successful coach in Super Rugby, and asks you to come to the most successful franchise, it was a no brainer.

ADVERTISEMENT

“His record speaks for itself. I’ve always admired the success of the Crusaders from the outside and wondered what goes on behind the walls, so I’m really excited to get started and work with him, and the rest of the coaching staff, who are all world class coaches in their own right too.”

Related

With seven players – Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange and Sione Havili Talitui – all hailing from Tasman, Marshall comes into his new role with a strong understanding of numerous players from his position as an assistant coach at the Mako.

He also played with and against many others within the Crusaders squad while he was a player at the Hurricanes, Tasman and Taranaki, which he believes gives him a point of difference as a coach.

“There’s not many players I don’t know, both through coaching at Tasman and my playing days,” he said.

“I feel like I’m going into it with a bit of knowledge around what the guys are like, and I’m just looking forward to working with them as a rugby coach and try feed them whatever info I can.

“They’re all world class players as well, so I’m sure they can teach me a few things too.”

After wrapping up his coaching commitments with Tasman, Marshall will officially begin his Crusaders duties when they assemble for pre-season training at the end of this year.

“I just really want the Crusaders to continue the success they’ve had. The great teams understand that they can’t rest on their laurels and need to keep improving, so hopefully I can offer one or two little things that might make a big difference,” he said.

“Personally, I want to learn as much as I can from the coaches and players involved and see where we all end up at the end of next season.”

ADVERTISEMENT

KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

USA vs England | Men's International | Full Match Replay

France v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Lions Share | Episode 4

Zimbabwe vs Namibia | Rugby Africa Cup Final | Full Match Replay

USA vs Fiji | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Tattoos & Rugby: Why are tattoos so popular with sportspeople? | Amber Schonert | Rugby Rising Locker Room Season 2

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

P
PL 19 minutes ago
Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


The officiating of last feet is non existent

The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

Last feet to last feet + 1 m


When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

25 were scrum for dissent


Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


All the s.ite would disappear


The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

1 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 1 hour ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

236 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 1 hour ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

236 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Even in victory the Lions' wing woes continue Even in victory the Lions' wing woes continue