Scott Robertson is in rare company with latest ringing endorsement

If you’re reading this, there’s a reasonable chance you also read the story on RugbyPass in which Laurie Mains was quoted.

What did you think?

I was quite shocked, myself.

Not because I inherently disagreed with Mains. More the fact that the former All Blacks coach isn’t known for showering people with praise.

In case you missed it, Mains basically said new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is exceptional, that the players are already emotionally invested in the regime and that he’s now more optimistic about the team’s prospects than he has been in a long time.

Mains wasn’t a great media performer as All Blacks coach. Nor was he particularly warm with the players, according to those I’ve spoken to from that era.

They respected him, in large part because they felt he knew the game. But as a man often under pressure to keep the All Black job, Mains drove the team very hard.

Former coaches, keen to protect their own record, can be sparing in their praise of those who succeed them. Fundamentally they want New Zealand to do well, but they often qualify their statements.

They rarely come straight out and say what Mains has.

I have to admit his comments made me stop and think.

As I say, this is a man whose analysis of the game is greatly admired and someone not known for lavish statements.

If he’s this bullish about Robertson’s boys, maybe we should all be?

After all, Mains isn’t one of those people who owes their current living to the All Blacks. Many of those who opine on the game are obliged to cheerlead for the team because it pays their bills.

Mains has nothing to gain from this burst of positivity.

I’d seen the All Blacks’ Rugby Championship squad before I read his comments.

The return of David Havili and Will Jordan, absence of Finlay Christie and inclusion of Ruben Love all enthused me.

The team still has a lot of work to do, but the personnel decisions suggest Robertson does intend playing differently than the team has done in the last six or seven years and will pick players to suit.
There’s been a tendency to put all our best players on the park and hope for the best.

Fullbacks on the wing, wings at centre, first-fives at fullback, utility loose forwards with no fixed abode.

The premise seemed to be that the sheer level of talent would prevail, rather than a coherent gameplan, given all the square pegs in round holes.

I think we’ll gradually see an end to guys being picked on name, reputation or physical prowess under Robertson.

It’ll be their skillset that matters and how that fits into the overall scheme of play.

When I add that to Mains’ comments, I think I might’ve been a bit harsh on the team so far this season.

We should always expect a lot of the All Blacks and always assume that a new coaching staff will bring new ideas and methods to the table.

But the changes won’t always be immediate and nor will the opposition always allow you to implement them. England played very well here and, perhaps, they’re more worthy of praise than the All Blacks are of criticism.

That’s not to say this team doesn’t have to get better in a number of areas. They do.

But the Rugby Championship squad showed evidence of a plan, rather than just picking all the usual suspects and hoping for a better result.

I didn’t discern much that was different about the All Blacks in their series against England and, as a result, that didn’t instil huge confidence in Robertson.

Maybe we’ll all see what Laurie Mains has seen as the season continues.