The All-Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has been fired by New Zealand Rugby. This happened less than two years before the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The decision follows a scathing 2025 performance review and reports of unrest among senior players.
Robertson won 20 of his 27 Tests in charge, a record viewed as below New Zealand’s standards. The internal review highlighted strong criticism from senior squad members, including concerns raised by star player Ardie Savea. NZ Rugby chair David Kirk said the team was not progressing at the pace required for a World Cup cycle. He also mentioned that it was the right time to change leadership.
Robertson said he was gutted by the outcome. He was proud of the young players he introduced. He also took pride in the foundations laid for future squads. He agreed to step aside after reflecting on the season review. Robertson had taken charge in January 2024 after leading the Crusaders to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles.
NZ Rugby will start selecting a new head coach promptly. Early speculation points to Jamie Joseph or Dave Rennie as possible successors ahead of a demanding 2026 Test schedule.
Sources;
Also read:
About the Author
