‘No one in mind’ for next All Blacks coach, NZ Rugby boss David Kirk says

Thursday, 15 January 2026

New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk announced the departure of Scott Robertson, and said that the All Blacks were 'not on track the way we needed them to be on track' leading towards the next rugby world cup.

The All Blacks will have a new coach this year with Scott Robertson having been sensationally dumped midway through his four-year contract.

Robertson, who said he was “gutted by this outcome’’, ended his All Blacks coaching career after being in charge for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

NZ Rugby said he had “departed his role as head coach of the All Blacks following the completion of the 2025 end of season review’’.

A process will commence immediately to recruit a new head coach as the All Blacks prepare for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

“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,’’ NZ Rugby chair David Kirk said in a statement.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson discusses the draw for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

“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.”

NZ Rugby has not made any additional changes to the wider All Blacks coaching and management team.

Kirk told a media conference on Thursday that they would cast the net wide in the search for a new coach and they didn’t have anyone in mind.

Robertson has issued a statement via a public relations company - not NZ Rugby.

'Coaching the All Blacks has been the honour of my life,’’ Robertson said.

“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.'

Kirk acknowledged Robertson’s contribution to the All Blacks across a long period of time.

“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby I would like to thank Scott for his contribution to the All Blacks,’’ Kirk added.

“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.”

Robertson’s first two years in charge of the All Blacks produced mixed results and following the recent tour of the northern hemisphere, reports emerged of players being unhappy with the direction the team was taking under the head coach.

Robertson, who replaced Ian Foster after the 2023 World Cup in France, has struggled for consistent results. This includes failing to win the Rugby Championship, and losing to the Pumas for the first time in Argentina.

The All Blacks also suffered a heavy defeat to the Springboks in Wellington last year, a week after defending an unbeaten record at Eden Park in Auckland that stretches back to 1994.

The All Blacks’ record under Robertson was 20 wins from 27 tests.

Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is at short odds to replace Robertson.

Joseph, who like Robertson is a former All Blacks loose forward, currently coaches the Highlanders and last year was in charge of the All Blacks XV during their tour of the northern hemisphere.

Joseph previously coached Japan at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups with another former All Black, Tony Brown, as his assistant.

Other contenders to replace Robertson could be Vern Cotter and Dave Rennie.

Cotter, currently in charge of the Blues, has previously coached Scotland.

Rennie, now in Japan, was in charge of the Wallabies for several seasons before being dumped by Rugby Australia and replaced by Eddie Jones ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

It proved to be a disastrous decision, with the Wallabies failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time.

Joe Schmidt, who will be replaced by Les Kiss as Wallabies coach after the Nations Championship tests this winter, is sure to have been courted by NZ Rugby as a potential replacement.

Schmidt, who assisted Foster in the All Blacks camp between mid-2022 and 2023, has also coached Ireland; he is highly regarded for his work ethic and knowledge of the game.

The All Blacks are scheduled to play next in three July Nations Championship matches in New Zealand.