Razor era ends early as Scott Robertson exits All Blacks amid unrest

Razor’s reign ends sooner than planned

For a coach once tipped as the long-term architect of the next All Blacks dynasty, Scott Robertson’s tenure has ended far earlier than expected.

New Zealand Rugby has confirmed that Robertson has departed his role as head coach midway through his four-year contract, following a wide-ranging review of the 2025 season. The decision comes at a critical point in the World Cup cycle, with just over a year to go before the 2027 tournament.

New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk said the mid-cycle review was intended to assess progress both on and off the field, especially with a demanding 2026 schedule looming.

After discussions between the governing body and Robertson, both parties agreed that a change was in the best interests of the team.

From heir apparent to early exit

Robertson took over the All Blacks after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, replacing Ian Foster with the promise of a fresh, attacking edge. His appointment followed years of domestic dominance and a reputation as one of the most innovative coaches in world rugby.

On paper, the results were not disastrous. Robertson won 20 of his 27 Test matches, a 74 percent success rate that would be considered respectable in most rugby nations.

But in New Zealand, numbers never tell the full story.

Two of those defeats were heavy, record-setting losses to the world champion Springboks, results that cut deeply into the national psyche and reignited debate about whether the All Blacks had truly evolved under new leadership.

Springboks remain the benchmark, and being outmuscled so decisively by their greatest rivals raised uncomfortable questions inside New Zealand rugby circles.

Player unrest bubbles to the surface

Beyond the scoreboard, reports of internal dissatisfaction appear to have accelerated Robertson’s departure.

According to the New Zealand Herald, senior players were increasingly frustrated with the environment under the current coaching setup. The most explosive claim was that All Blacks star Ardie Savea had begun considering an overseas move that could jeopardise his international future.

Ardie Savea is widely regarded as one of the team’s leaders, and even the suggestion of his discontent sent shockwaves through the rugby community.

On social media, reaction was swift and divided. Some fans argued Robertson was being judged too harshly in a short window, while others felt the All Blacks had lost their aura and needed urgent recalibration before 2027.

A respectful farewell from both sides

Despite the abrupt ending, the split has been handled with a notably measured tone.

Kirk thanked Robertson for his contribution to New Zealand rugby, acknowledging his long-standing service as both a player and coach. He emphasised that Robertson had once again put the team first by agreeing to step aside early.

In his own statement, Robertson struck a reflective note. He spoke of pride in the squad’s development, the emergence of young talent, and the foundations laid for the future. Crucially, he said the feedback from the end-of-year review prompted serious self-reflection.

With preparation for the next World Cup already underway, Robertson said stepping aside now would give a new coaching group the time it needs to shape the team.

What happens next for the All Blacks

New Zealand Rugby has confirmed that the search for a new head coach will begin immediately, with further updates expected soon.

The timing is significant. The All Blacks are due to return to action in July with three home Tests in the Nations Championship, before travelling south for the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour against South Africa.

For a nation where rugby is stitched into everyday life, this coaching change feels less like a routine reshuffle and more like a moment of reckoning. The next appointment will not just need to win games, but restore belief, unity, and the ruthless edge that once defined the men in black.

The Razor era promised transformation. Its sudden end now leaves New Zealand rugby searching, once again, for the right hands to steer its most precious sporting symbol.

{Source:SABC Sport}

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