All Blacks legend Sir Wayne Smith is reportedly set to take up a position abroad after leaving New Zealand Rugby in another blow for the governing body.<\/p>\n
The 68-year-old is one of the most respected figures in the game and has been working with both the Black Ferns and All Blacks on a part-time basis since 2023.<\/p>\n
Smith\u2019s role as a NZR performance coach saw him help Scott Robertson<\/a> out on occasion by joining training and passing on some advice, while also overseeing the work Robertson and his team were doing.<\/p>\n He left that position at the end of 2025 following the conclusion of his contract and, according to the New Zealand Herald<\/a>, his next job will be overseas at a professional club in a \u201csenior coaching leadership role\u201d.<\/p>\n Defence of Scott Robertson<\/p>\n This comes after the former All Blacks<\/a> and Black Ferns coach hit the headlines recently when he defended Robertson and criticised NZR for their decision to sack the head coach.<\/p>\n \u201cUnfortunately, Razor hasn\u2019t been given more time, greater opportunity to adapt and overcome many of the challenges new All Blacks coaches face. I feel sad about that \u2013 for Razor and our game,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/p>\n \u201cThey obviously feel that the win percentage wasn\u2019t going to improve, although that is just guesswork.<\/p>\n \u201cI actually found Razor and his coaches to be extremely competent around their roles.<\/p>\n \u201cProgress is often slow when you take over as a new AB coaching group. You learn as you go. Nothing truly prepares you for it.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a tough old gig when 76% isn\u2019t good enough. They obviously feel that the win percentage wasn\u2019t going to improve, although that is just guesswork.<\/p>\n \u201cCoaching in this environment is becoming more and more challenging. Egos abound, 76% win records are no longer enough.\u201d<\/p>\n Sir Wayne Smith issues pointed comments over Scott Robertson\u2019s sacking after New Zealand Rugby\u2019s \u2018guesswork\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n The timing<\/p>\n Despite those strong words, the Herald claims that the timing of this is merely \u201ccoincidental\u201d and that Smith parted on \u201cmutual terms\u201d with the governing body.<\/p>\n His destination has not yet been disclosed but you would think that it rules him out of a position in the new All Blacks head coach\u2019s backroom team.<\/p>\n Smith\u2019s name has been bandied about as NZR search for a successor to Robertson, with Jamie Joseph favourite to take the role.<\/p>\n Whoever gets the job, they may like to have the 68-year-old involved in some capacity but, should his new role be confirmed, the governing body will have lost another valued member of New Zealand\u2019s brains trust.<\/p>\n It has also been reported that current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt will not throw his hat into the ring<\/a> for the All Blacks head coach\u2019s job when his contract with Rugby Australia finished in July.<\/p>\n Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list<\/a> for world-class coverage you can trust.<\/p>\n