'Razor' Gets The Axe

The New Zealand rugby team are an absolute force of nature. On any given day, they can dominate thre game and make their opponents beg for mercy. Part of this comes from the coaches that they employ.

However, as of late, the All Blacks haven't been as dominate as usual. They've suffered through many defeats, which is unheard of in their circle. Hence, a decision has been made to sack head coach, Scott Robertson.

Scott Robertson has stepped down as New Zealand coach following an internal review of the All Blacks’ performance. Speculation over Robertson’s future has mounted since December amid reports of friction between senior players and All Blacks staff.

Robertson, who replaced Ian Foster after the 2023 World Cup, guided the All Blacks to 10 wins out of 13 Tests in the 2025 season but the former Canterbury Crusaders coach came under pressure following a first-ever away defeat to Argentina and a record 43-10 loss to South Africa in Wellington.

The All Blacks were also well-beaten by England at Twickenham in November, ending their hopes of completing a grand slam of wins against the Home Nations. Following a comprehensive review, it has been deemed that the All Blacks aren’t on track for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which led to Scott Robertson’s dismissal.

That is according to New Zealand Rugby chairman, David Kirk, who firmly stated that there was no player revolt but it was clear that change was needed.

The former All Blacks captain and scrum-half explained that the board went into the review with an 'open mind' but it was clear that the team wasn't on track; which ultimately led to the decision to part ways with the head coach.

"Nothing’s ever inevitable. You go into every stage of a discussion in these types of reviews with an open mind, looking for more information to help you make the right decision," Kirk told reporters on Thursday following Robertson’s sacking.

"You engage more people who can provide you with information that you think is important. I think there’s always a momentum in these things. You start to be moving towards one direction, but it’s important to stay open-minded."

"The mid-point in the Rugby World Cup cycle is the right time to look at the All Blacks’ progress over the first two seasons. The team are set to play a significant 2026 schedule and the tournament in 2027 remains the key goal," New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chairman David Kirk said.

"We’ve taken an extensive look at the team’s progress on and off the field and have subsequently had discussions with Scott on the way forward. Both NZR and Scott agree it is in the best interests of the team that he depart his role as head coach."

The chairman wasn't willing to go into too much detail about the findings of the review, other than that the team isn't on track for Australia 2027 but added that Robertson’s tenure hasn’t set them too far off course.

"It’s not really appropriate to talk in detail about any review findings," he said. "There were a lot of things covered in the review and a lot of opinions and approaches taken, but the direction was clear, and they certainly had an influence on the outcome."

"Scott has done some very good things in his tenure, and as he has said several times, and I’m happy to absolutely agree with, he has introduced a number of young players to what it means to be in the All Blacks environment, what it means to play with the intensity and accuracy required at international rugby."

"He has done a lot of good things; there are a lot of strands, and there are a lot of elements to the development of a team, but the All Blacks environment is very challenging."

"Trajectory is a good word to apply. We just weren’t seeing the trajectory that we wanted, and I think fans will probably share that view that the way we were playing and feeling that we were falling short of the excellence that we’re looking for, which never really got addressed over the year, that was certainly a theme."

Kirk confirmed that Robertson is the only coach who has left the environment and his successor will have the freedom to hire his own staff if necessary.

Robertson, who was contracted to the end of the 2027 World Cup in Australia, said he was "gutted" by the decision but had agreed to cut short his tenure after reflecting on feedback in the review. "Coaching the All Blacks has been the honour of my life. I am incredibly proud of what this team has achieved and of the progress we have made," Robertson said.

"We have brought through a talented group of young players, strengthened the depth across the squad, and set solid foundations for the years ahead. Following the end of year review I have taken time to reflect on some of the feedback. My priority has always been the success of the All Blacks and, after discussions with New Zealand Rugby, I believe it is in the best interests of the team for me to step aside. I have therefore reached an agreement with New Zealand Rugby to end my contract early so a new coaching group has the time it needs to prepare and take the team into the next World Cup."

The governing body said a search for a replacement would commence immediately, with the All Blacks set to play their first Nations Championship Tests in July. Former Japan coach, Jamie Joseph, is seen as front-runner to replace Robertson, who was unable to replicate his huge success at provincial level with the Crusaders at Test level.

Scott Robertson’s departure from the All Blacks could have huge ramifications for the Springboks and Rassie Erasmus.

New Zealand Rugby announced on Thursday that Robertson had been relieved from his duties with immediate effect after an extensive review of the 2025 season. The search for his successor as the All Blacks’ head coach now begins and if frontrunner Jamie Joseph gets the gig, it could result in South Africa losing assistant coach, Tony Brown.

The former All Blacks‘ fly-half has played a pivotal role in the Springboks‘ evolution since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, with the side scoring more tries and points in 2025 than ever before.

His impact has been so significant that head coach Erasmus is eager to lock in his services through to the 2031 Rugby World Cup in Australia after Brown initially signed on through to the tournament four years prior in Australia.

SA Rugby announced in December last year that Erasmus had extended his contract until then, with reports suggesting that talks had stalled because the head coach wanted his assistants’ futures to be secured too.

"An announcement on the contract negotiations with other members of the Springbok coaching team will be made in due course," a statement from the union confirmed.

With no official made as of yet, the future of Brown remains up in the air and New Zealand Rugby could move to prize the attack guru away from South Africa. Brown twice turned down the advances of the All Blacks, first when Ian Foster was named as Sir Steve Hansen’s successor in 2020 and then again when Robertson took charge of the team.

The reasoning for his rejection was that he pledged his loyalty to his long-time mate, Joseph. The pair have a long history of working together with the Highlanders, Sunwolves and Japan, where Brown served as Joseph’s successor.

It’s unlikely that Brown would be considered as a candidate to be the next All Blacks head coach, but if Joseph were to get the job, he would almost certainly pick up the phone and call his buddy.

It's not a terrific feeling to lose your job. However, it's always good to review what has occured over the period and see if good things have happened or not. If things aren't good, it's always best to find a solution that's in the best interest of everyone.

I know I'm being biased but I hope Tony Brown doesn't leave the Springboks. He's clearly made a difference and I fear what could happen if he does leave. Things could change drastically and for the worst.