The saga of Scott Robertson's sacking isn't going away. New information has been uncovered and it isn't anything good. Players have revealed the behaviour that the former New Zealand coach displayed while in charge. According to players who play for him from before. played under him before, the man was completely different from who they knew from before.
Also read: 'Razor' Gets The Axe
Crusaders players reportedly didn't recognise Scott Robertson when he stepped into the All Blacks head coach role. A wide-ranging New Zealand Herald investigation by Shayne Currie suggests the pressure of international rugby fundamentally changed the man who had dominated Super Rugby.
Across seven seasons in charge of the Crusaders, Robertson delivered seven Super Rugby titles (including two Super Rugby Aotearoa); built a relentless winning culture and became one of the most popular coaches in New Zealand rugby history. His appointment as All Blacks coach was widely seen as inevitable – and overdue.
The transition from Christchurch to the Test arena was anything but smooth. Sources told The Herald that from the earliest days of Robertson’s tenure, there was a sense that the coach players knew at the Crusaders wasn't the same figure leading the All Blacks.
"It was difficult from the start," one insider said. "You had Crusaders players saying, 'We don’t recognise this guy. He’s totally different to the Scott Robertson that we worked with in the Crusaders'. They said that in the Crusaders he was upbeat, he was fun, he was energetic."
In the All Blacks environment, however, the source believed Robertson was "just on edge" and "always tense," with the trademark looseness that defined his Crusaders teams largely absent; "The fun stuff was gone," the source said. "That made it difficult right from the start for everyone. The only thing I can think of as being the reason for that is the pressure."
Robertson’s time in charge of the All Blacks produced mixed results. While New Zealand maintained a respectable win record, performances were inconsistent and the sense of clarity and confidence that had marked his Super Rugby reign never fully transferred to the Test stage.
In January, following an end-of-year review by NZ Rugby, Robertson was dismissed from his role. The Herald reports that the review process placed heavy emphasis on player feedback; with concerns raised around Robertson’s communication style, leadership approach and the overall environment within the squad. That feedback ultimately proved decisive.
While Ardie Savea reportedly threatened to walk away from the All Blacks if Robertson continued as coach, one source claims the flanker "was always of the opinion they could find a way." "If they had said to [Ardie], 'Razor’s going to continue', absolutely fine. He would have continued trying his best to make it work for everyone."
From Robertson’s perspective, he believed his relationship with Savea was solid. "He would catch up with Ardie regularly and also chatted regularly with Ardie’s wife and there were never any issues raised directly with him," another source said. "As far as Scott was concerned, they had a good relationship."
However, behind the scenes, Savea was reportedly holding separate discussions with senior NZ Rugby figures about his future. According to The Herald, Robertson later came to believe that different messages were being delivered in different rooms.
"Ardie had come to Scott at different points, saying he wasn’t really enjoying things, was feeling exhausted," a source said. "Scott’s response was basically, if that’s how you feel, I won’t put you on the end-of-tour … so you can rest and recharge."
"Each time, Ardie said he would be fine." The same source claimed Savea was telling NZ Rugby chairman, David Kirk, that he wanted out of his contract – something Robertson was allegedly unaware of at the time.
Savea, according to a a source, said he made a conscious effort to support Robertson during the 2025 season. "Any time Razor did something that was really cool or something that the players liked, Ardie would go over to him and say, 'Hey, Ray, I just want to let you know that was awesome'. Encouraging him."
"That’s when it started to feel like things were being chipped away at behind the scenes," the source said, adding that Robertson began to feel like a scapegoat.
There has also been speculation that Savea was considering alternative options, including a longer-term stint in Japan or involvement in the proposed R360 breakaway competition. While pundits have suggested Robertson erred by not appointing Savea as captain in 2024, one source dismissed that theory.
"Ardie doesn’t go around trying to get the captaincy,” the source said. "He loves Scott Barrett to bits." Savea is expected to address the situation publicly at some point, but for now has remained silent.
Also read: That's Total Nonsense
Ian Foster and Scott Robertson were hampered by New Zealand Rugby’s process of making the head coach put a prospective backroom team together before even getting the job.
That's according to former All Blacks manager, Darren Shand, who thought that the previous two head coaches were always fighting a losing after being hired. As part of NZ Rugby’s approach to finding to next national team boss, they tell each candidate to select who they would want as part of their coaching group.
"I’m just happy that they have a field that’s worthy. One thing I’ve been reflecting on lately is the system of asking a head coach to bring his team with him has kind of failed the last two coaches because it just limits the field," he said.
"I think it’s good that they’re going to get the head coach right and how good would it be if you get the coaching group that’s made up of other head coaches as well? You want the best. It happened organically with Graham [Henry] but he hired Steve and Wayne [Smith], and suddenly you’re putting three head coaches together and saying: 'come on, let’s make it work'."
"I just hope that’s where we get to this time. We find the best and the best find a way to work together for the best interests of the game and this great team."
All Blacks forward, Patrick Tuipulotu, admitted that he was surprised by the "cut-throat" nature of Scott Robertson’s axing by New Zealand Rugby. The governing body took the decision to remove the head coach midway through his four-year deal; with Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie the favourites to replace him.
Although the All Blacks endured a mixed couple of years under Robertson, he still achieved a 74% win rate, which was more than his predecessor, Ian Foster, who saw out his contract and reached the Rugby World Cup final.
"Interesting times," Tuipulotu said when asked about the current situation and NZ Rugby’s decision. "It just shows the nature of high-performance sport. I was quite shocked at how cut-throat it is. In saying that, they’ve explained the process has been going on since he started, and there’s been a review along the way. Interesting to see how things pan out now with coaches and the timeframe heading into the Super season before the international games."
The All Blacks’ next game is in July but the governing body are looking to appoint a new head coach as soon as possible.
"On a personal level, I feel for Razor. He’s a great man," Test centurion, Codie Taylor, said. "I’ve had a lot to do with him over the years. On that level it’s sad to see something like that happen. In a high-performance environment, those decisions can be made. Where we are at now is a bit of uncertainty but I know New Zealand Rugby is doing their best to collate everything together and make a decision pretty quickly. I’ve heard good things about the potential candidates. Whoever gets it, I’m sure they’ll do their best."
Joseph and Rennie appear to be leading the race, particularly after Vern Cotter ruled himself out and Joe Schmidt reportedly did the same.
Asked whether there is a consensus for the next All Blacks head coach, Tuipulotu responded: "Not really. There’s a list there but none of us know who the shortlist is. We were asked what we want in a coach and that was delivered to the panel."
Whichever person takes the role, they have a big job on their hands, given that the World Cup is now under two years away. New Zealand are still second in the World Rugby rankings but realistically, they are in a group alongside England, France and possibly Ireland who are significantly behind the Springboks.
Tuipulotu still believes, however, and insists that they have the talent to win the global tournament next year.
Rising through the ranks in the world of work increases pressure and responsibilities. While I was surprised by the sacking; I wasn't by the reactive behaviour. Robertson was simply acting the way all national coaches should behave. It's a natural aspect.
Not all players can be happy with a coach. Some will be disgruntled for various reasons such as a lack of playing time. A revolt isn't the way the to go. Those players should air their grievances with the higher ups.
It can be safe to say that New Zealand Rugby is entering a phase of the unknown.