Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

Scott Robertson wants in on Warren Gatland's British and Irish Lions tour

Scott Robertson and Warren Gatland. (Photo by Michael Bradley/Getty Images)

Scott Robertson has revealed that he approached Warren Gatland about joining him on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa next year.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Crusaders coach says he’s keen on getting international coaching experience after missing out on the All Blacks‘ top job to Ian Foster.

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

Video Spacer

Jim Hamilton picks his 2021 Lions team

Video Spacer

Jim Hamilton picks his 2021 Lions team

“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’.”

Robertson, who led the Crusaders to their fourth straight Super Rugby title this year, said his request has been taken to Lions management.

“I’m waiting. We’ll see what happens,” he said. “Obviously there’s a lot to work out with Covid and the British and Irish Lions tour. But we had a couple good conversations since and he’s got to go through his line of management to make a decision.

“Something that really drives me and motivates me is probably to learn and understand. Obviously Gats has been hugely successful at the international level as a coach so he’s a person to learn off and also allows me to not have to go offshore to actually coach and get that international experience.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The 45-year-old, who many believed deserved the All Blacks coaching job over Foster, said he’s happy at the Crusaders but is open to coaching overseas in the future.

“From a personal note, I’ve got a young family. I would love to stay with the Crusaders as long as I can but I’m also quite wary about timing of roles on the international market and what happens over in Europe.

“One of the reasons I played in France is so I could learn French to coach there one day. If that’s the right thing and the right timing, then great. I’ve got some options.”

Meanwhile, South African rugby boss Jurie Roux has raised doubts about next year’s Lions tour, saying it could be postponed if fans can’t travel due to the global pandemic.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEDLM4RAlhA/

Roux said the series scheduled for July 2021 won’t be financially viable if fans aren’t allowed to attend games due to Covid-19 restrictions.

“We are obviously looking at a number of different contingencies around what happens if Covid continues in the way that it currently does,” Roux told SA Rugby Mag.

“Obviously, first prize is that that doesn’t happen. Second prize is that there are some restrictions, and we can manage in those restrictions.

“To be fair, no spectators and an inability for people to travel would commercially not make this viable and there would be a serious reconsideration on how we then continue in terms of the tour.”

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 41 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 The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim
Search