Scott Robertson’s All Blacks coaching team have bounced back quickly - but he’ll also get his chance
Thursday, 28 May 2026
ANALYSIS: Scott Hansen’s appointment as Crusaders coach shows that New Zealand Rugby still values the All Blacks coaching team put together by Scott Robertson.
Jason Ryan retained a role with the All Blacks, Tamati Ellison has been given the Māori All Blacks role, Jason Holland will coach the Blues next year and Hansen will take charge at the Crusaders.
Only Leon MacDonald isn’t still on the NZ Rugby payroll (head coaching roles at Super Rugby are paid for by NZ Rugby) after his pulled the parachute early and took a job in Japan.
That begs the question of what’s next for Robertson, who will be part of the Barbarians coaching ticket when they face the Springboks in South Africa in just over three weeks’ time.
Read more:
Former All Blacks assistant Scott Hansen returns to Crusaders as head coach, Rob Penney steps down
The All Blacks loose forwards logjam: who joins Ardie Savea in Dave Rennie’s crew for July?
Huge blow for Crusaders as All Blacks star Will Jordan ruled out of Super Rugby with injury
His bruising exit from the All Blacks is going to take time to get over, but he isn’t the first man to be shown the door from a test job and won’t be the last.
In fact, he enjoys some good company: Andy Farrell was moved on by England and Dave Rennie was punted by Australia.
Robertson will be back - it’s just a matter of when with with whom.
The test route
Robertson isn’t allowed to coach a so-called “tier-one” nation until the end of this year, but that still frees him up to be part of a test coaching ticket at the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.
Perhaps he can have a quiet word to fellow Barbarians coach Felipe Contepomi, who now coaches Argentina, about a role with Los Pumas.
Argentina already employ the services of Kiwi Kenny Lynn, and Robertson has a great relationship with Argentina’s world-class loose forward Pablo Matera.
Robertson, 51, has not yet coached at a Rugby World Cup and that’s an itch that has to be scratched.
If it isn’t Argentina, but Robertson would still bring value to someone coaching’s team at the Rugby World Cup.
It would also keep him close to the test arena at an important time: post-2027, the Scotland, England and Ireland jobs could all come up.
The club route
Ironically, Robertson could a strong candidate to replace Rennie at Kobe in Japan Rugby League One.
Japan has become a favourite destination for Kiwi coaches due to its relative proximity to New Zealand and financial appeal, and Wayne Smith’s connections to both Kobe and Robertson might open the door.
France and England could also be options, especially as the Top 14 is now regarded as the premier club competition in the world.
However, the question remains whether a club job would still spin Robertson’s wheels.
Once coaches get a taste of test rugby it can be hard to return to the club environment, and Robertson has unfinished business after his early All Blacks exit.
The left-field option
The Post understands that Robertson was spotted at Roosters HQ not long after departing the All Blacks as part of a trip to Sydney that also included a visit to the Manly club.
Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has taken the rugby-to-NRL route, while former Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has also worked across both codes.
If Robertson is done with rugby, Australia would provide the perfect place to rebuild his career in a different code.