That feedback has now come through loud and clear in the All Blacks internal review, leaving New Zealand Rugby (NZR) hierarchy under serious pressure to deliver sweeping coaching changes.
The Herald understands the most critical feedback of the All Blacks coaching, culture and environment stems from senior players, with frustrations building throughout Scott Robertson’s two-year tenure.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson at Cardiff ahead of last year’s match against Wales. Photo / SmartFrame
Robertson and his leading assistant Scott Hansen are among those to receive critical feedback.
Issues have been evident on the field with the All Blacks displaying wild inconsistencies, third-quarter fades, struggling attack, high-ball vulnerabilities and defensive lapses.
Two assistant coaches, Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland, voluntarily departing in the last two years sparked red-flag concerns, too.
Robertson’s current contract runs through until the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Highlanders and All Blacks XV coach Jamie Joseph would be favourite to replace Robertson as head coach.
In Chicago, in October, NZR chair David Kirk told the Herald the All Black coaching unit was still “finding their feet a bit”.
Those comments came before the All Blacks’ victory against Ireland in the US city, and the loss against England on the UK leg of the tour.
“They’ve played very well at times, and they haven’t played as well at times,” said Kirk. “They know that better than anyone else. It’s been a bit inconsistent, and I know that the coaching group is not happy with that. The players aren’t happy with that.
“We are looking for, and New Zealand is looking for, increasing consistency, improving consistency from the team.”
He said NZR management and the board appointed the coach and group, and “then we support them”.
“We obviously have a high-performance review system, which is happening on a regular basis. It happens after major events and at the end of each year.
“We take that very seriously but the board is not there to reach into management’s purview and start having opinions about coaches or coaching processes partway through years. Our job is to govern the game, not manage it.”
The All Blacks have a big year ahead with the inaugural Nations Championship kicking off in July with France, Italy and Ireland visiting New Zealand followed by an eight-match tour of South Africa including four tests against the world champions.
Since his appointment after the 2023 World Cup in France, Robertson has led the All Blacks in 27 tests, for 20 victories with seven defeats at a success rate of just over 74%.
Predecessor Ian Foster’s win rate was 69.6%.
NZR have been approached for comment.