All Blacks fire coach Scott Robertson less than two years before Rugby World Cup
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New Zealand national rugby coach Scott Robertson before the 25-17 win over Scotland on Nov 8, 2025 at Murrayfield. He was sacked on Jan 15.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WELLINGTON – New Zealand fired coach Scott Robertson on Jan 15, less than two years before the Rugby World Cup, after a scathing 2025 performance review and rumours of a player revolt.
The 51-year-old led the team to 20 wins in 27 matches, below the rugby union powerhouses’ expectations, while showing little improvement during his two years in charge.
New Zealand Rugby’s internal review of performance found strong criticism from senior All Blacks, including a suggestion that star player Ardie Savea could walk out.
The governing body’s chair David Kirk said that it was the right time to make a change, with the 2027 Rugby World Cup the “key goal”.
“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,” he said.
“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.
“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby I would like to thank Scott for his contribution to the All Blacks. We respect that he has done the hard but right thing in agreeing to depart.”
Robertson said in a statement that he was “gutted” to be leaving the team, but he was “incredibly proud” of what they had achieved.
He also said he had ushered through a talented group of young players, improving depth and setting good foundations for the future. But he agreed to leave after reflecting on the end-of-year review.
Robertson took over after the 2023 World Cup with a contract up till to the end of the 2027 tournament in Australia.
His appointment was greeted with much fanfare after he led the Canterbury Crusaders to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles with a reputation as a forward-thinking leader who had strong support from his players.
He endeared himself to fans with his winning record but under his leadership, the All Blacks have been in a spin. Robertson claimed in 2025 that his authority had been undermined, telling the New Zealand Herald that his assistant, Scott Hansen, “effectively operates in the role most would recognise as the head coach”.
Otago Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, the former Japan coach, or former Australia coach Dave Rennie could be potential successors to oversee a packed Test calendar in 2026 in the run-up to the World Cup.
The All Blacks travel to South Africa for an eight-match tour in August and September, playing the Springboks four times. They also host France, Italy and Ireland in the Nations Championship in July, then play Australia home and away in the Bledisloe Cup, before travelling to Europe in November for more Nations Cup matches.
Meanwhile, Japan will bid to host the World Cup again in 2035, more than 15 years after becoming the first Asian country to stage rugby’s showpiece.
Japan Rugby Football Union president Masato Tsuchida said on Jan 14 that an expression of interest had been submitted to the sport’s governing body, World Rugby.
In other news, England head coach Shaun Wane has left his role after almost six years in charge, the Rugby Football League (RFL) said, and the search is on for a replacement nine months before the World Cup.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup will be hosted by Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand in October and November.
AFP, REUTERS
