Former Crusaders Mastermind Scott Robertson Insists Impartiality as New All Blacks Head Coach
Published: BBC Sport, May 25, 2023
New Zealand’s incoming All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has addressed concerns over his longstanding Crusaders connections, asserting that it will not influence his selection decisions. The 49-year-old, who recently secured the coveted national team role following the Rugby World Cup, built a dominant dynasty during his seven-year tenure with the Christchurch-based Super Rugby franchise.
Robertson, who played for the Crusaders between 1996 and 2003 before later taking on the head coaching position in 2017, acknowledged the parallels between his former and new roles. “It helped me being an All Black. I understand my roles and responsibilities and the legacy part with the people that have done incredible things before me, either in the red and black jersey or the black jersey,” he told Sky Sport NZ in a recent interview.
The interviewer drew comparisons to former All Blacks boss John Hart, who was accused of favoring Auckland players during his time in charge from 1996 to 1999. However, Robertson was adamant that his selection process will be purely merit-based. “I will pick the best players for the All Blacks, that’s the key part of it,” he responded.
The new head coach also elaborated on his management philosophies, emphasizing the importance of fostering a collaborative environment. “One of the cornerstones of being a great coach is to be a good selector and managing people. You don’t work for me, you work with me and work for us, and you serve each other,” Robertson explained.
With the Super Rugby Pacific final scheduled for June 22, Robertson is poised to name his inaugural All Blacks squad ahead of the highly anticipated England series. As he embarks on this new chapter, the former Crusaders mastermind is determined to leverage his extensive experience and connections to rejuvenate the national team while maintaining impartiality in his selection processes.
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