Getting to know Scott Robertson: The new All Black Coach

On Saturday Scott Robertson will take to the field for his first game as the new All Blacks head coach after unprecedented success with the Crusaders.

The former Crusaders’ head coach signed a four-year deal to take over New Zealand’s coaching reins from 2024 until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, replacing Ian Foster who was sacked after last years world cup.

For those who may not necessarily know who the new All Blacks boss is, here are a few things to know about Robertson in the build up to New Zealands first game of 2024 against England.

Born Scott Maurice Robertson on 21 August 1974 in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, Robertson hails from the North Island of New Zealand.

He made his first-class debut in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) with Bay of Plenty in 1995. A versatile player, Robertson quickly made a name for himself as a hard-hitting, abrasive back-rower.

His distinctive fair hair and playing style earned him comparisons to then-Springbok captain Francois Pienaar.

He was an instant hit at Bay of Plenty, playing 16 times in his first season – and five times for the New Zealand Colts – scoring three tries.

Performances in his debut NPC season earned him a spot in the first-ever Canterbury Crusaders Super Rugby team in 1996.

Robertson did not feature in the Crusaders’ first three teamsheets of Super Rugby but made his debut in the side’s first game against South African opposition – the Stormers, then still playing under the Western Province name.

His first taste of Super Rugby was unsuccessful, as the two sides finished all square at 16-16 at Lancaster Park.

The North Island youngster quickly became a regular on the South Island, transferring to Canterbury for the NPC too. 

A powerful flanker in his own right, Robertson had stiff competition in the Canterbury and Crusaders loose trio competing against the likes of Todd Blackadder, Angus Gardiner (not the current referee), Steve Surridge, Reuben Thorne and Sam Broomhall. 

Still, he made 86 appearances for the side in Super Rugby and 69 NPC games for Canterbury between 1996 and 2003.

He was a regular in the Crusaders team that won three successive Super Rugby titles between 1998 and 2000, as well as in 2002.

He also won NPC titles with Canterbury in each of the years from 1997 to 2001 and played a prominent role in defending the Ranfurly Shields between 2000 and 2003.

Despite jostling for a position in the Crusaders starting lineup, he did get recognition with the national selectors, particularly after his performances for the New Zealand Colts.

In August 1998, Robertson made his Test debut for the All Blacks coming off the bench against the Wallabies, debuting at 23 years and 345 days old. He earned three Test caps that year, all from the reserves. 

He cracked the nod for the All Blacks squad for the 1999 Rugby World Cup and featured among the replacements against Italy in a pool match.

The following year, he was groomed as Josh Kronfeld’s successor in the number seven jumper but failed to capitalise on his opportunity and was dropped from the side only to return in late 2001.

He featured at number eight for the All Blacks in 2002, but the likes of Jerry Collins and Rodney So’oialo surpassed him in the pecking order, and he missed the opportunity to go to the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

He played 23 Tests in total for New Zealand.

After retiring as a player in 2007, Robertson returned to New Zealand to kick start his coaching career, and Rob Penney would give him his breakthrough at Canterbury.

He worked as Canterbury’s defence coach under Penney between 2008 and 2012 before becoming the side’s head coach in 2013.

Robertson won three NPC titles with Canterbury during his four years in charge before applying to replace Todd Blackadder as the Crusaders’ boss.

During his 48 games in charge of the Canterbury side, he won 38 games and lost nine for an 81% winning rate.

During his time as Canterbury’s head coach, Robertson also served as the head coach of the New Zealand under U20s.

During his first season in charge, the side won the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy. However, the team failed to make the playoffs in his second year at the helm.

Robertson was one of the leading contenders for the Crusaders’ head coaching role when Blackadder vacated the position at the end of the 2016 Super Rugby campaign to join Bath.

He did face stiff competition from now-Harlequins coach Tabai Matson and Dave Hewett. 

However, he convinced the appointment panel that included Mark Robinson, now the NZ Rugby chief executive, he could bring silverware back to the Crusaders, who hadn’t won Super Rugby since 2008.

He immediately delivered results winning the 2017 Super Rugby final by defeating the Lions 25-17. Robertson became just the second coach in the tournament’s history to win the competition in his first season in charge after Dave Rennie in 2012 with the Chiefs.

Since then, the Crusaders have dominated the tournament, with Robertson guiding the side to six Super Rugby crowns in as many years.