scott robertson

All Blacks in Turmoil: Scott Robertson Facing the Axe After Damning Review

The All Blacks coaching job is arguably the most scrutinised position in world sport. For Scott Robertson, the man who promised to "take the black jersey to the world," the weight of that scrutiny has apparently become too heavy to bear. Just nine months into the role, reports are sweeping across New Zealand and the global rugby landscape suggesting that the 'Razor' era may be cut brutally short.

According to a series of damning reports from trusted New Zealand media outlets, the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) board is preparing to sack the former Crusaders coach following a brutal end-of-season review. This isn't just a coaching change; it is a crisis for the national game, compounded by reports of player discontent and the potential loss of superstar All Blacks.

Here is everything we know about the unfolding drama surrounding Scott Robertson and the future of the All Blacks.

The Axe Looms: A Tenure on the Brink

The main narrative is as stark as it is shocking. Scott Robertson, the first man to transition from coaching the All Blacks directly from the U20s, is reportedly set to be axed after a turbulent first season in charge.

Multiple verified sources suggest the decision stems from a review of the All Blacks' end-of-year tour, where the team suffered defeats against Ireland and France, failing to secure the Grand Slam tour victory many expected. The narrative emerging from the NZR boardroom is one of dissatisfaction with the team's trajectory and on-field output.

The NZ Herald reported that Robertson is "set to be axed," citing sources close to the decision-making process. This sentiment was echoed by RNZ (Radio New Zealand), which ran the headline "Disposable Razor," suggesting that the board views Robertson’s tenure as easily replaceable, despite the historical difficulty of securing a top-tier international coach.

The significance of this potential move cannot be overstated. Sacking a coach after a single season—and one that included a Rugby Championship win, no less—is virtually unheard of in the professional era. It signals a seismic shift in how the NZR evaluates success and stability, moving away from the long-term trust placed in predecessors like Steve Hansen and Graham Henry.

Timeline of a Crisis: From Grand Slam to Sack Race

To understand how quickly things have unravelled, one must look at the chronological sequence of events that led to this tipping point.

The Appointment (Late 2023): Robertson was hailed as the savior of the grassroots game, bringing a dynamic, infectious energy that contrasted with the more reserved Ian Foster. The expectation was immediate, high-octane rugby.

The 2024 Season: The year began with promise. The All Blacks won the Rugby Championship, albeit with a loss to South Africa. However, cracks began to show in the end-of-year Northern Hemisphere tour.

The Tour Collapse: The All Blacks lost 23-13 to Ireland in Dublin and then fell 30-29 to a France side packed with inexperienced players in Paris. While these were narrow losses against top-tier opposition, the manner of the defeats—characterised by tactical confusion and late-game errors—reportedly triggered the review.

The Breaking Point: The reports regarding Robertson's future broke almost immediately following the loss to France. The speed of these reports suggests the decision was already being formulated before the team landed back in New Zealand.

It is crucial to note that as of this writing, neither Robertson nor the NZR has made a formal announcement confirming the departure. However, the volume and consistency of the reporting from credible outlets like Planet Rugby and RNZ make the situation highly probable.

Contextual Background: The Weight of History

The All Blacks coaching role comes with a unique set of pressures defined by a legacy of near-perfection. Robertson was handed the keys to the kingdom after a seven-year tenure with the Crusaders where he won 97% of his matches and claimed seven consecutive Super Rugby titles.

However, the step up to international rugby is vast. The "Razor" brand is built on innovation and attacking flair, but the All Blacks are currently grappling with a global trend toward defensive suffocation and set-piece dominance. The frustration within the rugby public and the board appears to stem from a perceived gap between Robertson's philosophy and the team's ability to close out games against the world's best.

Adding immense complexity to this situation is the involvement of senior players. Planet Rugby highlighted that star All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea is "seriously unhappy" with the current environment.

The Ardie Savea Factor

Reports indicate that Savea, a former World Player of the Year and the heart of the All Blacks' forward pack, is disillusioned. The finger of blame for this unhappiness is reportedly pointed directly at Scott Robertson.

In professional rugby, player-coach alignment is everything. If the senior leadership group loses faith, the coach’s position becomes untenable. The speculation linking Savea with a huge move to Irish giants Leinster is a significant red flag. Losing a player of Savea's calibre would be a massive blow, but losing him because he is unhappy with the coach would be a disaster for the NZR's reputation.

Immediate Effects: Economic and Social Fallout

The immediate fallout of these reports is already being felt across the rugby ecosystem.

1. Brand Instability: The All Blacks brand is built on stability. The "Next Man Up" philosophy applies to players, but the coaching carousel is a marketing nightmare. Sponsors and partners invest in the legacy of the All Blacks; a chaotic coaching environment dilutes the value of that association.

2. Recruitment Chaos: If the NZR does pull the trigger, they face an impossible task: finding a world-class coach available now. The global rugby calendar means most elite coaches are under contract. The pool of available candidates who are ready to step into the pressure cooker of the All Blacks job is incredibly shallow. This could force the NZR to look at internal options (like Scott McLeod or Joe Schmidt for a return), potentially leading to a short-term fix rather than a long-term vision.

3. Player Morale and Unity: The reports of "finger-pointing" and a "crisis" environment suggest a fractured dressing room. Rugby is a game of trust and connection. If the players feel the coach is the problem, or if the board is undermining the coach, that uncertainty seeps onto the field. The upcoming test matches, potentially a tour involving France or a mid-year series, could be played under a massive cloud of distraction.

Future Outlook: What Happens Next?

Based on the trajectory of these reports, the future holds a few distinct possibilities for Scott Robertson and the All Blacks.

Scenario A: The Immediate Sacking This is the scenario currently reported. Robertson is let go, and a caretaker coach (likely assistant Scott McLeod) takes over while the NZR scrambles for a permanent replacement. This is the riskiest path for the team's performance in the short term, as it disrupts preparation and selection continuity.

Scenario B: The "Foster" Redemption It is worth remembering that current All Blacks CEO Mark Robinson was instrumental in retaining Ian Foster despite public outcry after the 2020/2021 seasons. Foster went on to lead the team to the World Cup final. It is possible, though less likely given the severity of the "damning review" language, that the NZR could offer Robertson a chance to correct course. However, the trust may already be too broken.

Scenario C: The Player Revolt If Ardie Savea and senior players do decide to leave for overseas contracts due to the environment, the NZR may be forced to act not just on the coach, but on the systemic issues within their high-performance program. This would be a total reset of the All Blacks structure.

Interesting Fact: The "Crusaderization" Attempt

Robertson’s hiring was an attempt to "Crusaderize" the All Blacks—to replicate the culture of dominance he built in Christchurch. Ironically, the very players he used to coach in Super Rugby (like Codie Taylor and George Bower) are now part of a squad struggling to replicate that dominance. It highlights that what works in a provincial franchise does not always translate directly to the unforgiving arena of international rugby.

Conclusion

The situation regarding Scott Robertson is fluid and deeply concerning for New Zealand rugby fans. The reports from the NZ Herald, RNZ, and Planet Rugby paint a picture of a coach who has lost the confidence of the board and potentially his senior players.

While the Rugby Championship trophy sits in the cabinet, the memory of the losses to Ireland and France—and the potential departure of a legend like Ardie Savea—currently defines the narrative. Whether this is the end of the "Razor" era or a brutal wake-up call remains to be seen, but the All Blacks are undoubtedly standing at a crossroads, facing a crisis that threatens the very fabric of their identity.