Crusaders and All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams has reacted to Scott Robertson’s sacking, claiming that he was unaware of any player revolt.
New Zealand Rugby conducted a comprehensive review of the 2025 international season, interviewing the coaching staff as well as several senior players, which ultimately led to the decision to part ways with the head coach.
Reports on the eve of the announcement stated that several players were ‘seriously unhappy’ with Robertson as head coach and the direction that the team were going in under his tutelage, with the New Zealand Herald namechecking loose forward Ardie Savea.
It was claimed that Savea threatened to take his talents abroad, signing a contract in Japan or with a European club – effectively putting his international career on pause – if Robertson was not moved on.
No knowledge of a player revolt
New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk rubbished the claims of a player revolt or cabal to remove the head coach.
“There was definitely no revolt. The players were very measured and thoughtful in their responses. It’s very unfair to say that Ardie somehow led something, not at all,” the World Cup-winning captain said.
“He expressed public opinions. Some of those opinions were not agreed with by other players. Others would have been somewhat aligned with them.”
Savea’s All Blacks teammate, Williams, spoke to the media as the Crusaders continue their preparations for the upcoming Super Rugby Pacific season and stated that he had no knowledge of a conspiracy to remove Robertson.
“Definitely not to my knowledge. I’m a player. I get told to run into people and tackle people as well. So whoever the coaches were and whoever they’re going to be, I have full trust in, and I guess it’s my job just to buy in 100%,” he told reporters during the Crusaders’ pre-season.
“My opinion on it is we trust whoever gets the role. We back them, and then we get the job done. That’s quite simple… whoever comes in, trust them and good luck.”
The front-rower added: “I don’t really know too much about the review process, but we just got told it was very thorough; there was no bias in it.
“So for me as a player, my job’s to now be back with the Crusaders and give my all to the Crusaders.”
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Looking ahead
While Williams states that the All Blacks must now focus on the next job, he did share kind words for the departing coach.
“It’s a tough world we live in, right? But a lot of love and prayers go to Razor and his family. I know he’s going to do well, whatever he does,” Williams said of the move.
“And for us as players, we’ve just got to get together and figure it out, I guess. Looking forward to what’s next, but also, yeah, love to Ray.”
A decision has yet to be made over the future of Robertson’s assistant coaches; however, Kirk confirmed that the new head coach would be able to hire his own staff.
One man that Williams hopes will still be around is former Crusaders assistant coach Jason Ryan, who moved into the All Blacks backroom staff under Ian Foster and remained when Robertson took over.
“I love the way he works… hopefully he stays around,” he said of the forwards coach.
Hotham, Reece and Penney’s remarks
The likes of Noah Hotham and Sevu Reece were also made available to reporters, and the former aptly summed up the week.
“Crazy week, to be fair. Crazy news,” the scrum-half remarked.
“I wasn’t on the end-of-year tour, so I didn’t see the whole end of it. But it came as news to me. I wasn’t aware of any of it.”
He added: “I’ve got nothing but nice things to say about him.”
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“Like I say to people when they ask about my connection with Razor, it’s very special. He gave me the opportunity here down at the Crusaders, made my dreams come true. I owe so much to him,” Reece said.
“I wish him well, I know things didn’t go the way he would have planned it to go, but that’s life, that’s rugby.”
Meanwhile, head coach Rob Penney said that Robertson is always welcome at the Crusaders’ headquarters, adding: “I just feel sorry for the man and his family. Very difficult situation. He’ll be back.”
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