Scott Robertson is one of the most successful coaches New Zealand rugby has produced in the professional era, best known for his extraordinary record at Super Rugby level and his recent tenure as head coach of the All Blacks.
Coaching Background
After retiring as a player, Robertson quickly built a reputation as a high-performance coach. His greatest success came with the Crusaders, where he led the team to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles (2017–2023). This run is widely regarded as one of the most dominant coaching spells in the competition’s history and established Robertson as the standout candidate for the national job.
Appointment as All Blacks Coach
Robertson was appointed head coach of the All Blacks ahead of the 2024 season, taking over after the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Expectations were extremely high, given his domestic success and the standards historically associated with the national team.
Track Record with the All Blacks
During his time in charge, Robertson oversaw a period of transition, introducing new players and attempting to evolve the team’s attacking and defensive systems.
-
The All Blacks maintained a solid overall win rate, but results were more inconsistent than fans had come to expect.
-
The team suffered a few notable and historic defeats, including losses that highlighted growing competitiveness from other top nations.
-
Performances showed promise at times, but consistency at elite test level proved difficult to lock in.
While the results were not disastrous by global standards, they fell short of the extremely high benchmark set by previous All Blacks coaches.
End of Tenure
Following an internal review in early 2026, New Zealand Rugby decided to move in a different direction ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup cycle. Robertson departed the role after just two seasons, acknowledging disappointment but expressing pride in the players developed during his tenure.
Overall Assessment
What worked
-
Proven elite-level coach with an unmatched Super Rugby record
-
Strong focus on player development and squad depth
-
Clear attacking philosophy and leadership presence
What didn’t
-
Test-level results didn’t consistently match historical All Blacks standards
-
Transition from dominant club rugby to international rugby proved challenging
-
Limited time to fully embed systems before results were demanded
Scott Robertson’s legacy remains complex. At club level, he is one of the most successful coaches the game has seen. At international level, his All Blacks stint was shorter and less definitive, shaped by transition, expectation, and the unforgiving nature of test rugby in New Zealand. Whether he returns to international coaching or dominates again at club level, his influence on modern rugby is undeniable.
I will be your admin now.