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'I'm ready': Robertson talks All Blacks coaching role and Crusaders new recruits

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Super Rugby’s most successful coach, Scott “Razor” Robertson, has reaffirmed his ambition to take on the All Blacks coaching role, also discussing the upcoming Super Rugby season and expressing excitement for his Crusaders roster that was named earlier this week.

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Robertson joined the SENZ interview from Southern California, where he is participating in a professional development tour along with a number of Olympic swimming and AFL coaches. Razor mentioned the trip had so far included speakers from the NAVY SEALs and will tour the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs facilities in the coming days, learning about their respective leadership programs.

Robertson’s coaching résumé alone has Kiwi fans calling for him to succeed Ian Foster and lead the All Blacks through the next World Cup cycle, embarking on this tour proves he feels no complacency while regarded as the next big thing.

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In the meantime, Robertson’s Crusaders side will seek their seventh Super Rugby title in as many years during the upcoming season, which promises to be Robertson’s last at the level.

“It’s a part of me, it’s a part of who I am,” Robertson said of the Canterbury-based rugby club, adding that he wanted his 24th and final year at Rugby Park to be just as good as those preceding it, striving to be the best version of himself for the team’s sake.

The Crusaders announced a typically strong squad on Wednesday, with one particular young talent choosing the red and black region over his home team for the chance to learn from the best.

“Taha Kemara, who’s got a great connection with Noah Hotham, out of (Hamilton) Boys High, he’s a year young so we went at him about a year ago and built a great relationship, so we’re pleased he’s come down.”

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Robertson continued to share a few thoughts on his team’s other new signings.

“Obviously Macca Springer, who’s a great athlete, had an awesome NPC. He sort of replaces that George Bridge, left-wing, left foot.

“George Bell, who just can play, he’s just got a bit of a niggly injury at the moment.

“But, they’re all the future. When we sign them, we sign them for 10-year Crusaders, 100 games, get up on our wall.

“That’s the mindset you’ve got to have, who’s going to be a long-term Crusader and an All Black.

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Complimenting the young newcomers is 29-year-old Melani Nanai, a name familiar to Blues fans with lethal skillset in broken play who in 2019 took his talents to the Worcester Warriors, earning valuable experience in Robertson’s eyes.

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“We wanted balance, we wanted someone who’s a really good pro, been overseas, in really good condition. He’s done an ACL but all the medical stuff’s fine.

“We want him to be ready round one, be a good pro that can help, and teach us something as well; everyone that’s come from overseas, either player or coach, has added to our group immensely.

“He’s still hungry, he’s still got a lot in him, he can play full-back, wing, he’ll train at a real high level, as you have to, so he’s a great acquisition.

Beyond the Super Rugby season, Robertson has made his ambitions perfectly clear and available for all to see.

“I’ve spent the last 15 years coaching to get ready to be the head coach for the All Blacks, that’s really clear.”

“Now, the decision’s for them (NZR). They know that I’m here, they know that I’d love to do the job and I’m ready.

“The decision’s (up to) them, I’ll wait through the process but I want to coach international footy.

“So (over) the next few months there’s a few decisions for a lot of people.”

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Andrew 738 days ago

Mooloos do the hard work in development and Saders get their man

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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