Former All Blacks fly-half Tony Brown has criticised New Zealand Rugby’s handling of Scott Robertson’s exit.
Currently employed as the Springboks assistant coach, running the team’s attack, Brown has been tipped for a return to his home country amid speculation as to who will be Robertson’s successor.
While he has emphatically stated that he will honour his contract with SA Rugby and remain with Rassie Erasmus’ coaching team through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, he admits that he maintains the dream of coaching the All Blacks one day. In fact, he revealed that he rejected an offer from Robertson late last year.
All Blacks ‘not on track’ verdict
It was a rather unprecedented move from NZ Rugby to remove their head coach mid-way through his coaching contract, with the union’s chairman David Kirk stating that the extensive review clearly indicated that the team was not on track for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
“There was a clear initial hypothesis that things were not on track,” he told reporters on the day of the announcement.
“Obviously, we needed to talk to the head coach in particular and others about that before we jumped to a final conclusion, but yes, the review did give us a clear direction.”
Brown believes that the All Blacks were tracking ‘okay’ overall and added that the decision to sack Robertson has created ‘a massive situation’ in what is a big year for international rugby.
“Everyone says, leadership starts from the top, and I suppose New Zealand Rugby Union has got to show the way there,” he told NewsTalk ZB.
“I’m not sure about what happened within the All Black environment – they didn’t seem as though they were playing overly poorly. There were a few up and down results, but they seemed like they were tracking okay.
“And so then, to just pull stumps and get rid of the head coach has put them in a pretty massive situation around for getting ready for 2026, which is going to be a massive year not only for the All Blacks but for World Rugby and there as a whole with the new Nations Championship that they are running.”
Tony Brown reveals Scott Robertson’s desperate late attempt before All Blacks sacking
Player and coach fall out
Prior to the announcement, reports stated that Ardie Savea was one of the senior players who were ‘seriously unhappy’ with Robertson, and there was a claim that he threatened to sign a deal to remain in Japan or even in the northern hemisphere – effectively ending his international career for the time being.
There were further indications that not all was well in the All Blacks’ set-up, with Leon MacDonald vacating his position over disagreements with the head coach, while Jason Holland also left his role at the end of last year’s international season.
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After revealing that he was approached by Robertson, presumably to replace Holland, Brown was asked whether he’d think he would have had issues working alongside the ex-Crusaders boss.
“Razor and I sort of grew up in New Zealand, age-grade teams and the All Blacks together. We were always quite good mates in those teams, but I’ve never really coached with him,” he replied.
“I don’t really have a great insight around how he coaches, but for me personally, I would have thought I could coach with anyone.
“I love the game, I love the All Blacks, I love being innovative in around rugby and I love showing up to training and trying to make teams better.
“I would have thought I could coach with anyone, so it wouldn’t have been a massive issue for me.”
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Death of the All Blacks’ aura
The attack guru has made no secret of the fact that he has the desire to coach the All Blacks and while time might still be on his side, he is wary of how quickly things change.
“Rugby moves so fast and the game is so professional now, and this is unprecedented, an All Black coach getting cut mid-term, so who knows what’s going to happen going forward,” he said.
While many have announced the death of the All Blacks’ aura, Brown has rubbished that claim and says that the head coach vacancy is an exciting opportunity for the players and whoever takes over the reins.
“No way, no way. I think it’s a great opportunity for someone, the next coach who’s coming in, whoever that may be,” he replied when asked about the aura.
“The players will probably be excited about starting again and seeing what they can do, building into the 2027 World Cup. I think the coach is going to have a little bit of a clean canvas and be able to do some pretty cool things around giving the All Blacks, not only through the Greatest Rivalry and end of year tour, then have a crack at the World Cup.”