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Report: Crusaders boss Scott Robertson to decide coaching future after claiming fourth consecutive title
By Online Editors
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson is likely to ink a new deal with the franchise and New Zealand Rugby after claiming a fourth straight Super Rugby title with the Christchurch club.
That is according to a report from the New Zealand Herald, which claims Robertson "is expected to announce his decision soon".
The 45-year-old - who led the Crusaders to the inaugural Super Rugby Aotearoa crown with a 32-22 victory over the Highlanders at Orangetheory Stadium on Sunday - is off contract at the end of next season.
The Herald states that Robertson is looking to extend his deal with the Crusaders through to the end of the 2023 season.
That will coincide with the 2023 World Cup in France, after which the make-up of the All Blacks' coaching staff could undergo significant transformation.
Robertson last year missed out to Ian Foster in the race to become Steve Hansen's successor as head coach of the All Blacks, with Foster signing a two-year deal with NZR to take the helm of the national side.
Provided the All Blacks don't implode in whatever international matches they play in over the next year-and-a-half, it is difficult to see Foster not being retained through until France 2023.
It is too early to call whether he will remain there beyond that tournament, but should Robertson continue his extraordinary run of success with the Crusaders through until the end of 2023, he would have to be at extremely short odds to succeed Foster.
Since entering the professional coaching ranks as an assistant for Canterbury in 2008, Robertson has enjoyed a remarkable run of success throughout his career.
Working under the tutelage of current Waratahs boss Rob Penney and Chiefs assistant coach Tabai Matson, Robertson was part of the coaching staff that oversaw five straight provincial championships between 2008 and 2012.
He was then promoted to Canterbury head coach in 2013, winning a sixth straight crown in his first season in charge before winning a further two championships over the next three years.
"https://www.rugbypass.com/news/sensational-new-player-poll-reveals-majority-of-super-rugby-stars-are-unhappy-with-the-all-blacks-coaching-set-up/">As many as 46 percent of players quizzed in an anonymous poll by Country Sport Breakfast producer Sam Casey earlier this year also believed NZR got that decision wrong.
Being denied the top job in New Zealand must have got the tongues of potential offshore suitors wagging, as was the case when French club Biarritz tried to lure Robertson to Europe during his spell at Canterbury.
However, the Herald reports that the "relative safety and security" of working and living in Christchurch amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which possesses the potential to radically alter the global rugby landscape, could play a key role in Robertson's decision to stay.
If that is how things pan out, as reported, and he extends his exceptional winning streak with the Crusaders for another two years, Robertson will surely stand as the frontrunner to replace Foster in the national set-up.
For now, though, Crusaders fans can rejoice as the imminent announcement of Robertson's re-signing with the club looms.
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Latest Comments
I just don't see any progress in their game plan- still unable to cope with rush D, back-line is clunky - not fluid (despite the same players being together for some time), unbalanced lose trio - Ardie has gone backwards and we wasted his best years in a position he was never going to flourish in (those who say he won WPOY in that position miss the point that he would have won at any position but would definitely have still won it at 7), and I don't see an ability of this team to play with confidence knowing their roles. Handling and skills have to be the worst seen for years with sloppy and dropped passes, people not expecting passes - kick-off receptions poor, on and on. This was a hall mark of his Crusader teams. I wonder if Razor wanted to show he could replicate his first year at Saders with the same players Foster used. I struggle to understand his rationale to keep that squad mostly intact (except for retirements or off-shore contracts) and ignore talent emerging in SR. No wonder good SR players are exiting. Rant over. As is my enthusiasm for AB rugby - which is mostly being played by Boks, Irish, French and even Scotland!
Go to commentsgreat to see Fin Smith given a shot. Hoping against hope that he and Ford are trusted to run things in the 6N. We urgently need a fly-half who is capable of bringing his outside backs into the game.
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