Foster, Robertson etc
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@taniwharugby mate I understand that but he said he would love to coach Wallabies or Scotland etc if he didn't get job, this is in no way a dig at Razor, just think he has been asked a question that probably could be asked to plenty of coaches and he says yeah well I will take a gig whereever it is offered. Honest answer and didn't get impression he was trying to pressure anyone or anything.
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@taniwharugby mate I understand that but he said he would love to coach Wallabies or Scotland etc if he didn't get job, this is in no way a dig at Razor, just think he has been asked a question that probably could be asked to plenty of coaches and he says yeah well I will take a gig whereever it is offered. Honest answer and didn't get impression he was trying to pressure anyone or anything.
You are arguing with thin air. All tr did was post the article, he didn't mention anything about anyone pressuring that I saw.
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Scott Robertson is a free-thinking, unrestricted, breath-of-fresh-air, authentic character. But, in the eyes of the All Blacks, that’s not always a good thing. In part six of Inside the All Blacks Machine, Gregor Paul looks at the complicated relationship between Razor and New Zealand Rugby.
There was a time earlier this year when Scott Robertson believed he was going to be in the UK this week, not with the Barbarians, but as head coach of the All Blacks.
For a week in August, he had every reason to believe he was going to take over coaching the All Blacks once they returned from South Africa.
He had been contacted by New Zealand Rugby after the All Blacks had lost to the Springboks in Mbombela on August 7.
It was the All Blacks’ fifth loss in their last six tests and NZR chief executive Mark Robinson’s faith in Foster was fading.
The pressure inside NZR was intense. Silver Lake had just deposited the first of their two $100m payments as part of their five percent equity transaction, and the defeats and bad publicity were piling up.
So too were there concerns internally about how new major sponsors Altrad and Ineos were feeling about having sunk close to $40m a year into the team.
Firing Foster was starting to look like the easiest and most effective way of appeasing the commercial heavyweights: of proving that definitive action was being taken to arrest the slump.
And bringing in Robertson would have been a populist move. Known universally as Razor, the former All Blacks loose forward has built a cult following since he took over as head coach of the Crusaders in 2017.
He’s coached for six seasons, won six titles, and he’s done things his way – with a touch of the unorthodox, best typified by the breakdancing routines he has busted out after the Crusaders have won each of their titles.
Razor isn’t anti-establishment, but he’s a figure that challenges it, not actively or consciously, but simply by being a little different to his coaching peers.
Robertson is quirky, uses themes for each campaign, connects well with young players – all his players – and most importantly, he produces supremely organised, cohesive, motivated rugby teams that enjoy consistent success.
At least half the country, maybe more, would like to see Razor coach the All Blacks, even if it’s just for the point of difference he would bring, which is why he was the only candidate approached in August to replace Foster.
NZR say that the terms under which they engaged Robertson were unambiguous – that he was told that he was not being offered the job, but was being asked, “in principle” to outline who he would want in his coaching team should it become available.
After presenting his likely team, Robertson was then asked to facilitate a meeting with current All Blacks assistant Joe Schmidt to see if the two could work together.
However clear it was that he hadn’t been offered the job, the Herald is aware that shortly after meeting Schmidt, Robertson was overheard speaking to someone on the phone in the Air New Zealand Koru lounge, suggesting that he thought he was about to be announced as the next All Blacks coach.
It is understood, however, that Robertson only became aware that he was not going to be injected into the head role at the same time everyone else found out, which was at a hurriedly scheduled press conference three days after the All Blacks returned from South Africa.
As the Herald has previously revealed, Schmidt wasn’t comfortable working with Robertson due to his loyalty to Foster and that had a major bearing on the board opting to stick with the status quo.
But there may have been other factors at play – other reasons why NZR shied away from giving the job to Razor, to leave him now touting himself around the world, and strongly linked to England, who want to appoint their next coach in May so they can have a few months in situ with incumbent Eddie Jones before taking over in 2024.
For all that Razor has a strong public following and support throughout the media, there may be division internally about whether he is the right fit for the All Blacks.
Perhaps inevitably given the volume of external investment in the All Blacks, there is now a war raging inside NZR to control the brand narrative of the team to shape the public perception of who they are.
It began last year, when it is understood Foster came under pressure from NZR’s commercial team to actively promote the second Bledisloe Cup test which was being played at Eden Park.
Ticket sales were sluggish, and it is believed conversations took place as to whether the All Blacks coach should have a social media profile to communicate directly with fans.
The Herald also became aware that there were attempts by NZR to micro-manage Foster’s media performances during the Irish series this year, and requests made that he display more vulnerability.
The brand story needed a more human face apparently and it appeared Foster finally succumbed to the pressure to stage-manage some media drama before heading to South Africa, when he opened a press conference at the airport by saying: “I am Ian Foster, and I am the All Blacks head coach. Let me tell you who I am, I’m strong, I’m resilient, I think I’ve proven that.”
It looked like he was affecting a style and tone that suited his employer rather than being himself, and Foster and his players are under pressure to conform to a brand strategy that is designed to engage fans and grow the All Blacks audience.
That pressure is being felt by an increasing number of requests to fulfil in-house media productions, with the All Blacks now carrying two full-time content producers with them around the world.
NZR is working to build a content bank ahead of launching its own OTT streaming platform, with a plan to generate 100 hours of viewing to support live broadcasts.
This is ultimately being driven by the arrival of Silver Lake, which believed there are millions of offshore All Blacks fans who could be engaged and monetised.
How the team presents to the public – domestic and international – has become hugely important in the quest to make money, and this is perhaps the real reason Razor remains out in the cold.
While there are influential figures within NZR who feel Razor is on brand – precisely the sort of free-thinking, unrestricted, breath-of-fresh-air, authentic character that will win rugby new fans, there are others who fear the traditions of the All Blacks could be eroded by a coach who breakdances and brings attention to himself.
Not everyone within NZR is ready for Razor yet, who may also not have endeared himself to this employer by turning down the opportunity to coach the All Blacks XV this November and then speaking openly – on a podcast with former Scotland lock Jim Hamilton – about his desire to coach two international sides to World Cup titles.
It was seen by some as a direct attempt to overtly pressure NZR into offering him the All Blacks job to keep him from going elsewhere.
https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/yyafga/inside_the_all_blacks_machine_the_real_reason/
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An 8 point win against the Scots is par for the course. The last time we smacked them was in 2012, since then it's been an 8 point win in 2014 (with one of our best ever AB squads), a 5 point win in 2017, and then this 8 point win.
If we manage to get it done against the English tomorrow then this EOYT has been a resounding success, and I'll happily give Foster credit for that. A good coaching group is so important, he's got that now and it does look like we're heading in the right direction with a much more settled lineup and only a few positions really still up for grabs. I'm pretty excited about this team now.
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@No-Quarter said in Foster, Robertson etc:
An 8 point win against the Scots is par for the course. The last time we smacked them was in 2012, since then it's been an 8 point win in 2014 (with one of our best ever AB squads), a 5 point win in 2017, and then this 8 point win.
If we manage to get it done against the English tomorrow then this EOYT has been a resounding success, and I'll happily give Foster credit for that. A good coaching group is so important, he's got that now and it does look like we're heading in the right direction with a much more settled lineup and only a few positions really still up for grabs. I'm pretty excited about this team now.
The pieces are there to be in the 2023 RWC mix, just need to fit them together
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@No-Quarter said in Foster, Robertson etc:
An 8 point win against the Scots is par for the course. The last time we smacked them was in 2012, since then it's been an 8 point win in 2014 (with one of our best ever AB squads), a 5 point win in 2017, and then this 8 point win.
If we manage to get it done against the English tomorrow then this EOYT has been a resounding success, and I'll happily give Foster credit for that. A good coaching group is so important, he's got that now and it does look like we're heading in the right direction with a much more settled lineup and only a few positions really still up for grabs. I'm pretty excited about this team now.
I think they still need a world class defense coach, and soon.
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@JC said in Foster, Robertson etc:
@No-Quarter said in Foster, Robertson etc:
An 8 point win against the Scots is par for the course. The last time we smacked them was in 2012, since then it's been an 8 point win in 2014 (with one of our best ever AB squads), a 5 point win in 2017, and then this 8 point win.
If we manage to get it done against the English tomorrow then this EOYT has been a resounding success, and I'll happily give Foster credit for that. A good coaching group is so important, he's got that now and it does look like we're heading in the right direction with a much more settled lineup and only a few positions really still up for grabs. I'm pretty excited about this team now.
I think they still need a world class defense coach, and soon.
💯. Can't afford to ship soft points in tight games. Against Scotland and Japan we got off to good starts only to let them back in. We should be choking the life out of teams in that position
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Robertson has won 6/6 super titles has he not? Given some of his crusaders have not always played to the same level in the ABs and the ABs now have one of his coaches is it not fair to say he is a good coach? Unbeaten Barbarians coach!
Then again, what is the influence and impact of Ronan O'Gara? But only at the Crusaders 2018-2019?Next question, is it arrogant of Robertson to only want to be a head coach?
I think, given his record, that's his right. If that is a risk to his chances of coaching the ABs so be it.
I'm trying to think of all the ex-NZ coaches coaching tier 1 opponents and no one seems to blame them for it apart from Deans(?) (and maybe Mitchell). Don't know but suspect Robertson coaching England might raise some hackles amongst Kiwi fans, or maybe everyone has moved on.I just hope the next coaching selection round is transparent, well-run, and fair.
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Razor has the edge for England job
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has reportedly held talks with the England RFU about succeeding Eddie Jones as England boss.
Hopefully this is rumor because I'd be gutted if we allow our best coach to slip through our fingers and coach England.
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@TheMojoman well he has stated his preference is to coach the ABs but if that doesn't work out, other teams come into play.
That said, you'd hope as England are sounding out options now, NZR have learnt from 2019 when pretty much all the cabs had left the rank by the time we were ready to leave, and giving him a tap now...although he been burnt by that before...
Maybe NZR are waiting to see if FoZzIe wants to stay on before offering anything to Razor...just hope they communicate this to him that he just needs to wait until after the quarter/semi of the RWC and they'll know if they need him...
Seriously though, if Robinson fucks this next appointment up, surely he cant survive? You'd also think whoever the liaison or account manager from Silverlake must be onto it enough to ensure these sorts of things are being done properly?
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@TheMojoman said in Foster, Robertson etc:
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has reportedly held talks with the England RFU about succeeding Eddie Jones as England boss.
Hopefully this is rumor because I'd be gutted if we allow our best coach to slip through our fingers and coach England.
Henry just retired.
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@nostrildamus said in Foster, Robertson etc:
Robertson has won 6/6 super titles has he not? Given some of his crusaders have not always played to the same level in the ABs and the ABs now have one of his coaches is it not fair to say he is a good coach? Unbeaten Barbarians coach!
Then again, what is the influence and impact of Ronan O'Gara? But only at the Crusaders 2018-2019?Um hate to be the one to break it to you, he's not undefeated as Barbarians coach they got pummelled by Harlequins 73-28, funnuly enough not reported much in NZ.
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@Dan54 said in Foster, Robertson etc:
@nostrildamus said in Foster, Robertson etc:
Robertson has won 6/6 super titles has he not? Given some of his crusaders have not always played to the same level in the ABs and the ABs now have one of his coaches is it not fair to say he is a good coach? Unbeaten Barbarians coach!
Then again, what is the influence and impact of Ronan O'Gara? But only at the Crusaders 2018-2019?Um hate to be the one to break it to you, he's not undefeated as Barbarians coach they got pummelled by Harlequins 73-28, funnuly enough not reported much in NZ.
Less reality, more breakdancing please.
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@TheMojoman jamie joseph enters the room
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@Dan54 reality smeality... still has a better record!
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@Dan54 actually I did know this but it didn't seem a serious game to me-a friendly. Plus they had Marler!
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@Kirwan said in Foster, Robertson etc:
@TheMojoman said in Foster, Robertson etc:
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has reportedly held talks with the England RFU about succeeding Eddie Jones as England boss.
Hopefully this is rumor because I'd be gutted if we allow our best coach to slip through our fingers and coach England.
Henry just retired.
Best coach Wayne Smith just retired ..
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@ploughboy same applies to him, you hope NZR have reached out to him...although from the outside where he is, it probably looks like a done deal, again...
