Razor has been cut.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has today confirmed that All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has left the role, two years into his four-year contract.
1News reported earlier today that a review into the 2025 season was scathing of Robertson’s coaching and leadership, with NZR chairman David Kirk deciding to pull the pin on Robertson.
The recent review was undertaken by Kirk, NZR board member and former test hooker Keven Mealamu and former NZR high performance manager Don Tricker.
'Best interests of the team': Scott Robertson axed as All Blacks coach - watch on TVNZ+
Kirk said a process to recruit a new head coach would commence "immediately".
"The mid-point in the Rugby World Cup cycle is the right time to look at the All Blacks’ progress over the first two seasons," he said in a statement.
"The team are set to play a significant 2026 schedule and the tournament in 2027 remains the key goal.
"We’ve taken an extensive look at the team’s progress on and off the field and have subsequently had discussions with Scott on the way forward. Both NZR and Scott agree it is in the best interests of the team that he depart his role as head coach."
In a statement, Robertson said coaching the team had been the "honour of my life" and he was "gutted by this outcome".
Player unrest has been building even from the end of 2024, Robertson’s first year in charge.
Under Robertson the team has registered 20 wins from 27 matches, a 74% success rate, but that’s been mixed in with some shock and heavy defeats and also, to many observers, a lack of improvement or change.
The All Blacks suffered their biggest ever defeat in a 43-10 humiliation by the Springboks in Wellington and lost to the Pumas for the first time on Argentinian soil.
However, the All Blacks managed to defend the fortress of Eden Park with a victory over South Africa and continued their two-decade stranglehold on the Bledisloe Cup.
1News understands many players believed Robertson had “lost the dressing room”.
Robertson had a long run of success with the Crusaders in Super Rugby, but that hasn’t been translated into the more pressurised and cut-throat world of Test rugby.
Kirk acknowledged Robertson’s contribution to the All Blacks.
"On behalf of New Zealand Rugby I would like to thank Scott for his contribution to the All Blacks. As always, he has continued to put the All Blacks first and we respect that he has done the hard but right thing in agreeing to depart.
"His passion for the team as both a player and coach is evident and his commitment to and involvement in rugby in New Zealand at every level over a long period is significant. We wish him well for the future."
'The honour of my life'
Robertson said he believed it was in the best interests of the team for him to step aside following the end-of-season review.
"Coaching the All Blacks has been the honour of my life. I am incredibly proud of what this team has achieved and of the progress we have made. We have brought through a talented group of young players, strengthened the depth across the squad, and set solid foundations for the years ahead.
"Following the end of year review, I have taken time to reflect on some of the feedback. My priority has always been the success of the All Blacks and, after discussions with New Zealand Rugby, I believe it is in the best interests of the team for me to step aside.
"I have therefore reached an agreement with New Zealand Rugby to end my contract early so a new coaching group has the time it needs to prepare and take the team into the next World Cup.
"As you can imagine, I am gutted by this outcome. I care deeply about this team.
"Given the sensitivity of this situation I will not be making any further comment."
NZR's made no mention of Robertson's assistant coaches, however 1News understood Scott Hansen was also expected to leave his role. It was unclear whether forwards coach Jason Ryan would remain.
Current Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is the clear front-runner to take over the All Blacks role.
Former Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt is contracted to Australian Rugby until the end of July, so is unlikely to be available.
Former Chiefs coach Dave Rennie could also be an option.
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