The rise and steep fall of ousted All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson
Friday, 16 January 2026
Join the conversation in the comments below.
ANALYSIS: Breakdancing across the Waikato Stadium turf after the Crusaders’ 2023 Super Rugby Pacific title, Scott Robertson was on top of the world.
The man affectionately dubbed ‘Razor’ had just guided the red-and-blacks to a seventh championship in as many seasons in his final campaign.
Already unveiled as the new All Blacks head coach in March of that year, Robertson could not wipe the smirk from his face as Crusaders’ players bellowed “Hoo Hey Razor Ray” as he manoeuvred about like a showman.
On Thursday, Robertson’s turbulent tenure with the men in black came to a grinding halt, departing the role he was supposed to have held to at least the end of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Talk about a fall from grace for a bloke who did nothing but win with the Crusaders and was touted for lofty deeds with the All Blacks.
“We firmly believe he is the right person to lead the team in 2024 and beyond,” then-New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson gushed at the time.
Ian Foster would surely have let out a wry smile when the news broke, given he was effectively punted for Robertson, despite later leading the All Blacks to the 2023 World Cup final.
Robertson’s two-year stint in charge was far from smooth.
Early signs of discontent were apparent in August 2024 when assistant coach Leon MacDonald quit on the eve of their trip to South Africa, falling out over tactics with Robertson.
The pressure only ramped up after losing back-to-back games in South Africa that year. Robertson was able to save face beating the Wallabies twice and end of season tour wins over Ireland and England, but a 30-29 loss to France left a hollow feeling for the summer.
Seasoned rugby writers were perplexed by Robertson’s safe approach with team selection and the team’s playing style – a stark contrast to his time at the Crusaders where he wasn’t afraid to shake it up and be unorthodox.
Rugby fans will rightly wonder where it all went so wrong for ‘Razor’. Whether he was let down by player power, an inexperienced coaching team around him, or the All Blacks drifting further back from the game’s pacesetters, are all pertinent questions.
Robertson barely copped any scrutiny from media during a dream run with the Crusaders, where he could do no wrong. He seemed ill-prepared and often uncomfortable when the losses piled up with the All Blacks and the spotlight intensified.
Needing to make a statement in 2025 after a 2024 campaign that left plenty to be desired, the issues only deepened.
When another assistant Jason Holland announced in October he was surprisingly stepping away from the All Blacks (later rejoining the Hurricanes as an assistant) it left more questions than answers.
Ultimately, a damning 2025 end of season review was the death knell for Robertson. As New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk noted on Thursday, the timing was right with the All Blacks “not on track” for next year’s World Cup.
Good luck to anyone who predicted the surfing-mad Sumner resident only making it halfway through his contract when he was appointed to the job.
Robertson desperately needed to make an impact on and off the field in 2025 amid growing pressure, but the results weren’t glowing.
A first loss to the Pumas in Argentina in late August was another low moment. The heat well and truly rose after a 43-10 mauling from South Africa in Wellington, New Zealand’s largest test defeat in history.
Finishing the year with a error-ridden 33-19 loss to England at Twickenham in their penultimate game only raised more debate about whether Robertson was the right man for the job.
Just as concerning was the apparent rift in the All Blacks camp between some senior players and Robertson.
It was reported superstar loose forward and vice captain Ardie Savea (currently playing in Japan) was considering staying in Japan or heading to Europe if major changes were not made.
Player power, as it so often does in elite sport won out, with Robertson’s underwhelming record (20 wins from 27 games at 74%) certainly not helping.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph looms as the frontrunner to replace Robertson and would walk into a challenging situation 21 months out from the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Joseph and Robertson are very different individuals.
While Robertson loved a breakdance, Joseph would rather dish out a broken nose if anyone got under his skin in his playing days.
Former All Blacks loose forward Joseph, who has coached Japan internationally, is a no-nonsense character, but has a deep empathy for his players.
Give their all on the training paddock and in games, and Joseph a proud ‘southern man’ who never took a back step for Otago, will back them to the hilt.
Should Joseph take over, he will quickly need to embed his standards, philosophy, and style of play on the group. Repairing a rocky environment and getting early buy-in from the players will be paramount.
Robertson’s stint as All Blacks coach will be remembered as a flop few saw coming when it promised so much. New Zealand Rugby can ill-afford a repeat with whoever succeeds him – Joseph or otherwise.
Comments are moderated during working hours and may not appear immediately.