Rugby Union News: All Blacks Veteran Reflects on Coaching Saga
All Blacks veteran Sam Whitelock has opened up about the coaching saga that almost saw Scott Robertson take over from Ian Foster in 2022. While Foster has since retained his position, the former Crusaders coach was lined up to replace him amidst the All Blacks’ struggles under Hansen’s successor.
Whitelock, who had played under Robertson at the Crusaders, found himself in a delicate situation as the coaching decision loomed. “I wouldn’t say it put me in an awkward position, because I knew my lane and stuck to it, but I also knew that people wanted to know what I really thought,” the ex-All Blacks lock wrote in his autobiography.
The veteran acknowledged that the All Blacks were “not being coached well enough” during their recent run of surprising defeats, which left Foster’s job in jeopardy. However, a crucial victory over the Springboks ultimately convinced New Zealand Rugby to retain the services of the current head coach.
Whitelock revealed that a group of players, including himself, had even lobbied the NZR CEO to keep Foster in the role. “Was it the right thing to do? Good question. It’s a sticking point for me because, as I’ve said, it is not our job as players to back or sack the coach,” he admitted.
The 49-year-old also confirmed that Robertson had already been lined up to assemble his coaching team, describing it as “the world’s worst-kept secret.” Despite his relationships with both coaches, Whitelock aimed to remain impartial, knowing that taking a strong stance could have compromised him.
As the All Blacks prepare for the upcoming Rugby Championship, with the South Africa mini-tour set to decide the title, fans will be eager to see how the team performs under Scott Robertson’s continued guidance following the turbulent coaching saga.
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