Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Crusaders coach Scott Robertson reveals how he intends to help the British and Irish Lions

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has revealed his potential involvement in next year’s British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa may come in a smaller role than many might have anticipated.

ADVERTISEMENT

Plenty has been made about the prospect of Robertson, who recently guided the Crusaders to a fourth consecutive title as Super Rugby level, joining Chiefs boss Warren Gatland on his third tour in charge of the composite side.

Speaking on the Country Sport Breakfast on Gold AM last week, Robertson said he asked Gatland about joining him on the tour and offered his services.

Video Spacer

The Breakdown | Episode 31 | Kieran Read returns

Video Spacer

The Breakdown | Episode 31 | Kieran Read returns

“Once I missed the All Blacks job I actually reached out to Gats and asked him if I could go on that tour,” he said. “I thought, look if I can’t be involved with the All Blacks, what’s the biggest thing – or actually bigger in its own self the Lions tour – to get involved.

“I said ‘look, I would love to help you if I can’.”

His interest in a possible coaching role has since been swatted away by former Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan, who wrote in The Daily Telegraph that Robertson’s keenness was “flattering”, but a place on the coaching staff should be saved for someone who knows the Lions players “intimately”.

However, Robertson told Stuff that he doesn’t want to join the Lions’ coaching staff at the expense of someone else, but rather in a support role.

The 46-year-old raised the prospect of potentially assisting defence coach Andy Farrell, or helping out with a specific positional group such as the loose forwards.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I am happy to help Andy Farrell out with the defence, to have more of a specialised role to allow him to get the best out of the group,” he told Stuff.

“You need a hand. You’ve got test matches, and midweek games. Coaching staffs are big, they’ve got a lot of players [on Lions tours].’’

However, Robertson revealed he hadn’t yet received any indication from Gatland about whether he would join the former Wales coach on tour, and confirmed he wouldn’t speak on the matter again until a decision had been made.

“Again, it was a chance for me to grow as a person and teach with people with different mindsets and skill sets and be in such a special group. Nothing has changed from that,” he told Stuff.

“I’m just waiting to see. If I can help, that will be great.”

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

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

R
RedWarrior 44 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

8 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Freddie Thomas: 'OMFG, I've been selected for Wales - my mum was bawling her eyes out' Freddie Thomas: 'OMFG, I've been selected for Wales - my mum was bawling her eyes out'
Search