Scott Robertson sheds further light on 'likely' role with British and Irish Lions
Scott Robertson has shed light on his potential involvement with the British and Irish Lions, admitting it's highly likely he joins Warren Gatland's coaching staff.
The Crusaders coach revealed in August after missing out on the All Blacks job to Ian Foster, he approached Gatland about joining the team in their tour of South Africa in 2021, with a desire to fill out his CV with international coaching experience.
Robertson says he's in ongoing talks with Lions management, which have been promising.
"We've had some good conversations the last couple of weeks around the opportunity. I'm looking at potentially being involved with the team, that could play against the Springboks and then stay on in some capacity.
"It wasn't an assistant role I was wanting it was a learning opportunity for me, [to] help a lot around the professional development and support their current coaching group, it wasn't about being an assistant as such.
"Those conversations are continuing … it's a highly likely chance, I'm finding ways I can get there."
Any involvement will follow on from the 46-year-old's duties in Super Rugby, where he will look to win a fifth consecutive title with the Canterbury franchise in next year.
The experience Robertson is after will ideally aid in him landing a more prominent role, likely outside of New Zealand, should his time with the Crusaders finish up soon.
Robertson earlier revealed he had aspirations to coach oversees, and recognised the sensitive timing around roles on the international market. He played in France for three years to learn French, in the hope of boosting his chances to coach there one day.
The Lions series in South Africa kicks-off on July 3, with the three tests running on three consecutive weekends from July 24.
Meanwhile, Robertson has this morning revealed his squad for next year's Super Rugby Aotearoa campaign, and will need to utilise the depth within his squad right off the bat.
All Black Braydon Ennor is out for the entire season with an ACL injury, while fellow international George Bridge along with Manasa Mataele with miss the start of the season, both with pectoral injuries.
That will see the likes of Leicester Fainga'anuku and Dallas McLeod relied on more in the first team, players Robertson has touted as having big seasons in 2021.
"We've got a lot of guys that can play in multiple positions.
"Leicester during Mitre 10 Cup was carrying a few people out the on the field, he's an awesome talent. If you want to win championships you need depth and if George is out, Leicester comes in. There's great completion in all positions."
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There is a major story unfolding around Gleeson's bar in Booterstown, South Dublin City last night. Beaudy Barrett, DMac and Cody Taylor were there. DMac was supposed to be on the Guinness 0.0 but lets just say it didn't turn out that way.
Hours later, Dmac out cold, head on the table with a long stallagtite of flem and spittle rising and falling with his breathing. There is a video apparently.
The barman barred a staggering Taylor from any more Guinness but Taylor kept pushing past him, pulled a seat up to the Guinness tap and personally pulled himself pints, claiming it was 'celebrity pint pulls mate'.
One of these celebrity pint pulls made a local paper but it's only a matter of time before the real context comes out. Dmac is out of the team for Friday due to breaking 'internal standards', Sititi starting at 10.
Go to commentsNow that made me laugh bull!
I tell you what though, the head knock from Kriel on Hugh jones in the wc that didn’t result in any card was a real mystery with the way things are now.
Also suspect the Boks will be pretty well motivated by glasgows antics in stellenbosch last week and loftus in June…
Should be a cracker hopefully!
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