The All Blacks have embarked on the search for a new head coach following the departure of Scott Robertson, who expressed he was "gutted" by the decision. This change comes in the wake of an internal review that evaluated the team's performance over recent seasons.
Since December, there has been growing speculation about Robertson’s position, fueled by reports indicating tensions between senior players and the All Blacks' coaching staff. After taking over from Ian Foster post-2023 World Cup, Robertson led the team to an impressive 10 victories out of 13 matches during the 2025 season. However, he faced mounting pressure after experiencing a historic loss to Argentina on foreign soil and suffering a staggering defeat of 43-10 against South Africa in Wellington.
Additionally, the All Blacks were defeated by England at Twickenham last November, which dashed their hopes of achieving a grand slam by winning all matches against the Home Nations.
David Kirk, chairman of New Zealand Rugby (NZR), commented, "The mid-point in the Rugby World Cup cycle is the appropriate moment to assess the All Blacks’ development during these first two years. As we look forward to a significant schedule in 2026 and with the upcoming tournament in 2027 as our primary objective, it was essential to evaluate our progress."
He continued, "After a thorough analysis of both on-field and off-field factors, we engaged in discussions with Scott regarding the future direction of the team. It has been mutually agreed between NZR and Scott that his stepping down as head coach is in the best interest of the All Blacks."
Robertson, who had a contract extending through the 2027 World Cup in Australia, shared his feelings about the situation, stating, "Coaching the All Blacks has been the greatest honor of my life. I take immense pride in what this team has accomplished and the strides we’ve made together."
He emphasized the positive aspects of his tenure, noting, "We have successfully integrated a talented crop of young players into the squad, enhanced our overall depth, and laid robust foundations for the future."
Reflecting on the feedback received from the review, he added, "My foremost priority has always been the success of the All Blacks. After discussions with New Zealand Rugby, I’ve come to believe that the best course for the team is for me to step aside. Therefore, I have reached an agreement with NZR to terminate my contract early, allowing a new coaching staff ample time to prepare and lead the team towards the next World Cup."
In light of this development, NZR has announced that the search for Robertson's successor will commence immediately, with the All Blacks set to play their initial Nations Championship Tests in July.
Jamie Joseph, a former coach of Japan, is currently regarded as the leading candidate to fill the void left by Robertson, who struggled to match his substantial success at the provincial level with the Crusaders at the Test level.
