Former All Blacks boss Scott Robertson’s time in rugby union could be coming to an end after it was revealed that he could be switching codes to coach in rugby league.
According to reports in New Zealand’s media, Robertson has received an offer to coach the Southern Orcas – a proposed Christchurch-based rugby league club who are contending for entry into the National Rugby League (NRL).
The NRL currently has 17 clubs competing in its league structure, but expansion side Perth Bears are entering the league in 2027 while the Papua New Guinea Chiefs are scheduled to compete in the tournament from 2028.
The Southern Orcas are hoping to become the NRL’s 20th team by 2029, which will mean it will be the second New Zealand-based club along with the New Zealand Warriors.
The Orcas’ chairman Sir Graham Lowe, who is a former New Zealand rugby league national team coach and co-owner of Super League outfit Bradford Bulls, confirmed that they have offered Robertson a four-year contract to coach them, should its license be granted, and revealed that the offer came as a shock to the man known as “Razor”.
‘It’s a very big call for him to make’
“There’s no doubt that he was surprised when we approached him about it, but also he was excited. It’s a very big call for him to make, but it’s also been a very big call for us to make as well,” Lowe told Radio New Zealand.
“We’re just excited and hopeful that he will be able to accept.”
Lowe revealed that acquiring Robertson’s services was not just about his abilities as a coach.
“The very special thing also is Razor’s a really good bloke and those who’ve had the opportunity to meet him would agree with me; and if you can match that with being a great leader of men and a great coach, I think you’re on a great combination,” he said.
Robertson had great success during his time as head coach of the Crusaders and guided the Christchurch-based franchise to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles between 2017 and 2023.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
He then took over the All Blacks‘ coaching reins after they lost to the Springboks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final but was axed from that position at the start of this year, to be replaced by Dave Rennie.
This, despite him having a 74% win ratio after securing 20 victories from 27 Tests in 2024 and 2025.
‘That’s water under the bridge now’
“I’m sure it must have been really difficult for him when he had that call, you know, with the New Zealand Rugby Union, but that’s water under the bridge now,” added Lowe.
“It’s gone. And what we’ve done is provide him with an opportunity to move forward.”
Despite his unceremonious departure from his All Blacks position, Lowe believes Robertson still has plenty to offer as a coach.
However, if he accepts the Orcas’ offer, it would be a significant change for Robertson, who has only coached in rugby union, but Lowe is confident Robertson’s leadership and understanding of rugby league would allow him to make the transition.
“He’s displayed over a long period of time a leadership quality, a confidence, and can obviously get the best out of those around him,” he said.
“While he hasn’t coached rugby league, we don’t see that as a problem. He understands rugby league, he studied rugby league and certainly he will have the opportunity.”
The Orcas have officially submitted their bid for NRL participation and are now awaiting a decision from Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys.