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Robertson gets a new gig but it's not the All Blacks role he wants
By Liam Heagney
Crusaders boss Scott Robertson will soon be involved in an All Blacks fixtures – but he won’t be working for Ian Foster’s team as he has instead been appointed as Barbarians co-coach alongside Ronan O’Gara to coach against his home country. The ex-New Zealand forward lost out to Foster to succeed Steve Hansen as head coach following the 2019 World Cup and his name has been doing the rounds in recent days as a possible replacement for Foster if the All Blacks decide to change their coaches following last weekend’s 1-2 series defeat to Ireland.
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While all the ‘Robertson for the All Blacks’ commentary is speculation at his moment, what is certain is that he will join O’Gara, his former Crusaders assistant, in coaching the Barbarians against an All Blacks XV in London on November 13.
A Barbarians statement read: “This year’s Killik Cup between Barbarian FC and an All Blacks XV is set to be a sizzler with the two huge names in the world of rugby confirmed as coaches of the famous invitational side.
“Star coaches Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson and Ronan O’Gara will take the reins as the Barbarians line-up against an All Blacks XV, with the two famous sides competing for The Killik Cup on Sunday, November 13 (tickets on sale here).
“O’Gara and Robertson will reunite to lead the preparations having worked together at the Crusaders in Canterbury. O’Gara joined the Christchurch outfit as backs coach under Robertson and credits the head coach with changing his coaching mentality.
“They have each gone onto huge success with their current clubs, with Robertson taking the Crusaders to another Super Rugby title last month and O’Gara leading La Rochelle to a narrow victory over Leinster in the Heineken Champions Cup in May, giving the French side their first title. The pair will look to follow in the footsteps of Fabien Galthie and John Mulvihill, who led the Barbarians to emphatic victories over England and Spain respectively last month.”
Robertson said: “Rugby throws you great opportunities and coaching the Baa-Baas has to be one of the best there is. I’m proud to help the incredible club and add to its history.”
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O’Gara added: “I’m honoured to be coaching the Barbarians this autumn. It will be a dynamite coaching team and I’m very much looking forward to reuniting with Ray after my time with him at Crusaders. It is always great to join forces with world-class coaches like him and to do so for this world-famous club will be an unforgettable experience.
“We are going to put our heads together in the coming months and devise a squad of exciting talent who will light up the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and bring the Barbarians’ style of play to life against the All Blacks XV.”
Barbarian's games are usually played for entertainment so this event wont be the sporting stage to showpiece Robertson's credentials to be a future All Black head coach, but it could open a door for working in professional club rugby in the UK , which is good money.
I'm not sure it's in Scott's short/medium term business interest to keep himself hanging on a hook for the top AB coaching job, either the NZRU want him or they don't, and to my mind the message given is mostly wait and see, if I were Scott that would not be good enough, but if he was offered the assistant AB coach job in the lead up to the RWC but turned it down, that will be on him, as he does need some test rugby games under his belt, which is probably another reason why Ian Foster will keep his job until the end of his current contract.
Maybe only a Rugby Championship disaster for the All Blacks could change my prophecy but I can't really see that happening, not with the skill and experience on offer for this All Blacks team and the resources available in NZ professional franchise rugby.