The short reign of the All Blacks head coach required far more scrutiny from NZ Rugby’s senior leadership team, writes Patrick McKendry.
In the end, Scott Robertson’s demise after days of rumours in media circles and further afield about an "horrific" season review allegedly containing scathing feedback from senior players was almost fitting.
Which isn’t to say that his demise as All Blacks head coach was entirely his fault or even whether it was justified, just that the leaks from within the upper echelons of New Zealand Rugby have been so widespread over the last 18 months that the organisation has been driven to a fever pitch of paranoia.
'Best interests of the team': Scott Robertson axed as All Blacks coach - watch on TVNZ+
A case in point: 1News was informed the night before Jason Holland announced that he would not be applying to extend his two-year contract as an assistant coach (on the proviso that it would not be published until officially confirmed) and inquiries on the day as to the details about where and when the press conference would be held to share said information set off a frantic investigation by NZ Rugby staffers.
This is probably unfair but one wonders whether Robertson would have had a greater chance of success – not only in terms of results but also in retaining a cohesive, happy, squad (and the lack of the latter is what did for him in the end) – if such urgency and attention to detail was adhered to by the organisation’s high-performance and senior leadership team.
Perhaps the biggest surprise about this whole disaster for the All Blacks is that NZ Rugby was so quick to act. This has not always been the case, and one detects the finger of chairman David Kirk – in the absence of a new chief executive following the resignation of Mark Robinson – on the trigger here.
NZ Rugby fudged its way through Ian Foster’s penultimate year; ready to fire him after the Ireland series defeat and loss to South Africa in Nelspruit in 2022 and putting Robertson, the wildly successful Crusaders coach, on standby in Christchurch.
They reneged on the scheme once Joe Schmidt, Foster’s highly-rated assistant and a man expected to join Robertson, expressed concern about the way Foster was being treated and watched, presumably in astonishment and perhaps with some trepidation as the All Blacks almost won the World Cup in Paris a year later in spite of it all (despite a red card for their captain in the first half).
Player power also played a role in Foster’s retention until the end of his contract and, over the past six months, there was no getting away from whispers about a squad unhappy about the communication coming from above and split virtually in half along loyalty lines to either skipper Scott Barrett – Robertson’s man – and vice-captain Ardie Savea, inspirational and influential in equal measure.
As the rumours gathered pace on social media over the last few days, various pundits and fans overseas expressed amazement that Robertson was in danger of losing his job after a 10-win, four loss record in his first year and 10-3 record in his second.
But this was always about more than wins and losses. It was about credibility, a looming World Cup, and, ultimately, brand All Blacks.
For whatever reason – and recent history suggests the details will reveal themselves and probably sooner rather than later – Robertson could not take his winning formula from the Crusaders to the All Blacks.
His lack of experience coaching an international team, the lack of an experienced manager following the departure of the long-serving and highly efficient Darren Shand, plus the wrong mix of assistant coaches have all been suggested as reasons for Robertson’s struggles.
There is a touch of sad irony too in the fact that the man known for his empathy, emotional intelligence and communication skills could not provide the required vision – either big picture or detail – for all of his senior players.
As the rumours reached a crescendo yesterday, a former All Black got in touch regarding Robertson to say "more scrutiny and accountability would have served everyone well", adding "[his] lessons should not have come at this level".
As such, there was little surprise to see Mike Anthony, the head of high performance, announce he was leaving for what is likely to be a lucrative role at the Brighton football club in England’s Premier League recently.
Robinson, now departed for pastures new, should also take responsibility for Robertson’s dramatic downfall.
Who’s next for the hot seat? Presumably Jamie Joseph, who is said to have been in "closed-door" meetings all week.
Would the straight-shooting Highlanders man and former Japan head coach have a better chance of success against South Africa this year, and next year at the World Cup (which will likely include a quarter-final against the Boks)?
Probably, yes.
Decisiveness in yesterday's axing aside, the whole Razor affair, on top of the bungled Foster exit, highlights a serious lack of quality decision-making at the top of our national game.
SHARE ME