Scott Robertson has departed as Head Coach of the All Blacks.
A process will commence immediately to recruit a new Head Coach.
1News from NZ earlier reported that current Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph is the clear front-runner to take over the All Blacks coach role.
The New Zealand Rugby Union were expected to confirm today that Robertson has been fired two years into his four-year contract.
1News understands a review into the 2025 season has been scathing of Robertson’s coaching and leadership, with NZR chairman David Kirk deciding to pull the pin on Robertson.
The recent review was undertaken by Kirk, NZR board member and former test hooker Keven Mealamu and former NZR high performance manager Don Tricker.
Player unrest has been building even from the end of 2024, Robertson’s first year in charge.
Under Robertson the team has registered 20 wins from 27 matches, a 74 percent success rate, but that’s been mixed in with some shock and heavy defeats and also, to many observers, a lack of improvement or change.
Robertson had a long run of success with the Crusaders in Super Rugby, but that hasn’t been translated into the more pressurised and cut-throat world of Test rugby.
All Blacks assistant coach Scott Hansen is also expected to leave his role.
It’s unclear if forwards coach Jason Ryan will remain.
