The Herald understands Robertson was considering the offer because of his respect for Lowe.
Lowe told the Herald he believed Robertson would have been a great coach despite league being a new sport for him, but understood his decision.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to Scott yet, but I got a text message from his manager last night. I’ve just been running around doing other things at the moment, but as soon as I get a chance, I’ll have a word to Scott, but you know, that’s just how it goes,” Lowe said.
“I understand whatever his decision is. It’s a massive decision and, while I’m disappointed for us, I still understand it. I mean, this is professional sport we’re talking about and there’s a lot of things to take into consideration. So I’m sure Scott had plenty of advisers and friends and whatnot in his ear, so it’s a big call for him to make and we totally respect it.
Scott Robertson has turned down a four-year contract as head coach of the Southern Orcas. Photos / Photosport, Mike Thorpe
“Disappointed, but I wish him all the best in the future and I just think he would have been outstanding.”
Part of the desire to bring Robertson on board was the Orcas’ hope of signing the best available options in every role.
While Robertson has not coached in rugby league, his track record, including seven Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, gave the group confidence he could successfully switch between codes.
Lowe said, however, there was no shortage of coaches looking for a new opportunity.
“It’s quite amazing how many coaches there are around who are keen to move on given an opportunity,” he said.
“Getting a coach, that’s no problem. We’ve certainly got a number under consideration already that we’ve already had chats with.”
The Southern Orcas bid is being led by Sir Graham Lowe (left) and businessman Andrew Chalmers.
The Orcas announced last month that the Carter Group would provide 10ha of land near Rolleston for a proposed multi-sport facility that would become the team’s long-term base.
That facility would also be available for use by other top organisations.
Documents released this week revealed the Christchurch City Council has been working with the NRL for almost two years around what it would take to bring a team to the Garden City.
That work was separate from the private Orcas bid and included indicative hire pricing for One New Zealand Stadium to three parties involved in NRL bids, but those details were withheld.
Newstalk ZB’s Jamie Cunningham reported that the documents showed the NRL was reluctant to discuss individual bids for the 20th team during its June visit for the Warriors-Cowboys game.
Instead, the two sides agreed to use the visit to build their relationship and discuss what Christchurch could offer.
The Warriors hosted the North Queensland Cowboys at One New Zealand Stadium in June. Photo / Photosport
The council’s head of recreation, sports and events Nigel Cox told the Herald’s Mike Thorpe this week that they were not working with the Orcas’ bid.
“We have met with the Southern Orcas. However, at this stage we have not seen a financial and commercial model that provides a pathway to success.”
Lowe said the Orcas have always been open to talking to anyone interested in working on their bid, including the council, but said he felt the council had “something else going on” when the parties met.
“I just thought it would have been a natural thing for us to work together, but … they were pretty difficult to get hold of in the first place,” Lowe said.
“Even when we met with them, I, personally, certainly had the impression they had something else going on in the back of their minds. That’s up to them. That’s entirely up to them and that’s just how it goes.”
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.