Scott Robertson’s recent sacking from the helm of the All Blacks has sent shockwaves around the rugby-playing world.
With just over a year-and-a-half until the next World Cup, the world’s most famous rugby brand is in disarray. There are plenty of potential names being thrown around currently, but very few quite meet the New Zealand Rugby criteria.
On the flip side, the former Crusaders boss is now a free agent, and despite his high-profile sacking, will likely be inundated with new job opportunities.
The first club on everyone’s lips is the English outfit, Harlequins. Despite a decent couple of results in Europe recently, the Twickenham-based side have come under the pump from fans in recent times following the exit of former boss Danny Wilson to the Wales national side.
Their PREM results under the new senior coach, Jason Gilmore, have been lacklustre to say the least. Quins currently sit in eighth place, with just two wins in their first eight matches.
The former PREM champions aren’t short of talent within their ranks, but something simply isn’t clicking at the club currently.
Scott Robertson x Harlequins?
Robertson received huge praise for building a dynasty at the Crusaders, and Quins would no doubt love to have him at the Stoop.
However, former England scrum-half Ben Youngs doesn’t believe it’s a partnership that will work.
Speaking on the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, Youngs said: “Quins seems like an obvious one, but it won’t work. I’m telling you now, it won’t work.
“People look at and go, ‘Oh, the way he plays. His style suits Quins’.
“It won’t work. He’s never coached in the Prem. He doesn’t understand the league. He doesn’t know the Investec Champions Cup.”
There’s no doubting Robertson’s credentials. During his time with the Crusaders, he achieved a record of 98 wins, 17 losses, and two draws from 117 games, making him the most successful Super Rugby coach of all time.
Despite his trophy room being full of accolades, Youngs stands by his point, adding: “We’ve seen it time and time again, when New Zealand coaches come over to Premiership clubs or European clubs, it doesn’t work.
“I’m telling you now, mate, people will say that’s the right fit. It isn’t, and it won’t work, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they appointed him.”
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