Scott Robertson all-in on the positives as All Blacks sign off on unflattering 10-3 season

Monday, 24 November 2025

Unrepentant, unapologetic and unabashed. That was the general tenor of All Blacks coach Scott Robertson as he reflected on another year where his team came up well short of its ambitions, yet made enough progress to have him declaring the corner has been “turned” at the halfway stage of the World Cup cycle.

Following Sunday’s (NZT) seven tries to four, 52-26 victory over Wales in Cardiff, an all but irrelevant result that brought the curtain down on the All Blacks’ year, Robertson hit reflection mode on a campaign that hinted at the special, yet once again delivered the unremarkable.

Robertson’s All Blacks went 10-3 in ‘25, losing to the Pumas in Buenos Aires, the Springboks in Wellington (by a record margin) and England at Twickenham. Among their 10 victories they swept a weak France on home soil, did likewise with perennial victims the Wallabies and secured quality results over Ireland in Chicago and Scotland at Murrayfield.

But ultimately, as they had in a 10-4 campaign in Robertson’s first year (his seven defeats matches the total Ian Foster suffered in ‘22 and ‘23), the All Blacks lost the ones that really mattered, which has to be a major concern as they continue to evolve painfully slowly.

As much as you can find positives in a 77% winning record for the year, the truth is the All Blacks failed their key tests. They were well beaten in BA and then thrashed in Wellington by the Boks to cough up the Rugby Championship for the second year on the bounce – unable to repeat first-up victories over both southern foes.

Then, on a northern tour that offered a shot at some special Grand Slam history, they blinked when the lights were brightest. Having survived the Irish and Scottish challenges, Robertson’s men suffered a second-half meltdown at Twickenham to underline the reality that they remain well short of the standard they aspire to.

For all that, Robertson was adamant his All Blacks are on track, falling back on his usual excuses of “fine margins” and “big moments”. He also emphatically endorsed the leadership credentials of Scott Barrett and declared himself the right man for the World Cup job.

“When I took over I knew the first two years were going to be challenging,” he told The Pos t from Cardiff, echoing previously expressed sentiments about the post-World Cup loss of so many experienced players. “I thought, ‘OK, you’re going to get a new captain, you’re going to bring a whole new group through, you’ve lost the spine effectively, with hooker, two locks and your 9 and 10’.

“Until you’ve played or coached a test match … you don’t know till you’ve done it. So those guys are really valuable. We feel we’ve turned a corner. [We’ve used] 45 players this year, with a lot of exposure. We’ve built combinations and the four-deep project is coming along.”

The coach was equally adamant he is better for the lessons he’s learned thus far.

“]I’ve learned] what’s required of me every week. How do I set the group up … how can I shape and bring the legacy along with us. I feel like I’ve made a real connection to that piece and how I can get those simple messages across to the group.

“It’s fine margins and there are a lot of expectations that come with it. So how can you refine your message so the boys are clear and then just play and trust themselves. I feel like I’ve got a lot better in that regard.”

Asked, flat out, was he the right man to lead this mission of World Cup redemption, Robertson replied: “They’ve taken me on a four-year contract … I’ve got some great backing from David [Kirk] and the board, we’ve got a good crew behind us … I’m excited.”

He was also sure, despite sentiments from critics to the contrary, he has the right captain in place.

“Scooter’s rugby IQ is as good as I’ve ever come across,” said Robertson. “He’s an exceptional reader of the game, and understands the intricacies. He’s unique – someone who can push in a scrum, call a lineout, make 20 tackles, barge rucks and still make calls and be with the referee.

“And his body is good this year. Being All Blacks captain takes a lot out of you and he’s coming of age with the experience.”

Barrett himself echoed his coach’s optimism after a mostly positive effort from a largely second-string lineup in Cardiff. At 24-21 early in the second spell the test was in the balance, but they kicked home well behind second-half tries to Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece (two) and the second part of a brace for Caleb Clarke.

“I think there has been improvement as the season has worn on,” said Barrett. “We weren’t where we [wanted] to be through key stages, but ultimately our trajectory is on the way up. There are two big years ahead of us, and Razor and the group should be excited about the challenge.”

The critics will point to repeat failings, second-half woes, aerial fragility and their inability to dig out of tight spots and argue a different supposition. The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle – the All Blacks have potential, but a season and a-bit from judgement time, they remain very much a work in progress.