Finally NZ Rugby has made the right decision to appoint Razor Robertson to be the next All Black’s coach after this years World Cup. The appointment is a four year term and he will be looking for assistants to assist him. It’s known Robertson got the job ahead of current Japan head coach, and former Highlanders mentor, Jamie Joseph, who presented a formidable alternative in tandem with his highly rated assistant Tony Brown.
He brings a fresh set of eyes, huge energy, a capacity for innovation, a deep upstanding of our system, and a really well-rounded skillset and relationship set.
Of course after this year’s cup in France there are a lot of champion players who will be leaving the All Black’s squad, and good luck to them. Some will retire, others will play overseas but that creates opportunities for new players to step up.
It is also a case of third time lucky for the former All Blacks loose forward (23 tests, 1998-2002) who interviewed for the job in 2019 and was placed on standby last year when NZ Rugby were set to dump Foster after a calamitous start to the season, only to backflip after the Ellis Park victory over the Boks.
Following the recent success of Ireland and France, the All Black team will have a huge challenge in France to bring the cup back to New Zealand.
In the mean time Razor can start planning on what and who he wants going forward and enjoy the surf from his Sumner home in Christchurch. Of course there are still the Crusaders to commit to for the rest of this Super Rugby season, and do not bet against this group of players winning one more title. The players love this guy and will miss him, but nobody would hold him back and I am sure they will give their very best to see him out a winner.
For me, as an ex Christchurch boy, I am so pleased for this special man. Sad that he has to move on, but still the best decision for him. Congratulations again Razor. You earned this one.
Playing career
Bay of Plenty: NZ. 16 caps (1995)
Canterbury: NZ. 69 caps (1996-2003)
Perpignan: France. 54 caps (2003-2006)
Ricoh Black Rams: Japan. (2006-2007)
Crusaders: NZ. 86 caps (1996-2003)
All Blacks: NZ. 22 caps (1998-2002)
Coaching career
Canterbury: NZ. 2013-2016 (three titles)
Crusaders: NZ. 2017-current (three Super Rugby titles, two Super Rugby Aotearoa titles, one Super Rugby Pacific title)
New Zealand under-20s:NZ. 2015-2016 [one world title]
Read this too!!
Comments