Rugby: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson reveals future training plans

By RugbyPass.com

When Scott Robertson ended his playing career in New Zealand, the maverick forward headed for the coast in search of new challenges. Now, as one of the most respected coaches in world rugby, Robertson could be poised to do the same by the end of 2021.

Robertson will take over the Crusaders for a fifth season next year, having led the team to four Super Rugby titles on the trot. It could also be his last season in charge, with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Of course, it is quite possible that Robertson will re-sign with the Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby, but that certainly should not be taken for granted, especially after the 46-year-old missed the All Blacks head coach job. to Ian Foster.

A major factor in Foster’s elevation from the All Blacks assistant coach to the top position was reportedly due to his international experience. Foster had spent eight years supporting Steve Hansen, racking up 93 wins and the 2015 Rugby World Cup title during that period.

Robertson, on the other hand, has spent his entire coaching career in New Zealand, first with Canterbury and the New Zealand Under-20 team, and now with the Crusaders.

But speaking on Sky Sports’ The Conversation podcast, Robertson has revealed that the international experience could come quickly in the near future.

“One of my goals is to win all the competitions as a coach, since I played as a player, that’s one of the things I want to do,” he told hosts Rikki Swannell and Joey Wheeler.

Robertson has already done it with Canterbury, racking up three New Zealand provincial titles between 2013 and 2016, while his time with the Crusaders has reaped similar rewards.

Having represented the All Blacks from 1998 to 2002, Robertson presumably hopes one day to clinch all the trophies on offer to the New Zealand national team, including a Rugby World Cup.

Robertson played in the 1999 World Cup when the All Blacks were defeated by France in the semi-final stage of the competition and later beaten by South Africa in the bronze tiebreaker.

Following his stint in New Zealand, Robertson represented Perpignan in France and Ricoh Black Rams in Japan, which sheds some light on where the in-demand coach likely sees his future.

Robertson has never shied away from the fact that he would love to return to France as a coach and almost seized the opportunity to coach Biarritz several years ago before taking over for the Crusaders.

Meanwhile, one of Robertson’s mentors, Robbie Deans, has been a long-time coach with Panasonic in the Top League, adding another carrot to a possible season in Japan.

However, even though his contract will end next year, Robertson has openly said that he would like to continue with the Crusaders, at least in the short term, and the Crusaders will almost certainly want to keep him. However, there are no guarantees and eventually Robertson will say enough is enough, especially if his path to coaching the All Blacks remains blocked.

“That is what I would like to do [stay on with the Crusaders]”he said on The Conversation.” I would like. I want to be loyal.

“Look, I still have aspirations to go higher and some of those things are out of my control … There will be a point where I’m just going to say ‘Thank you’ and go in another direction, go to [France]. Go where I want to go. “

In the meantime, however, Robertson is shaping up to be the Barbarians ‘potential coach when they face the British and Irish Lions led by Warren Gatland next year, before joining the Lions’ tour of South Africa.

“We’ve had some good conversations in the last few weeks about the opportunity. I’m considering getting involved with the team, that I could play the Springboks and then stay somehow.

“It was not an assistant position that I wanted, it was a learning opportunity for me, [to] help a lot in professional development and support your current coaching group, it was not about being an assistant as such.

“Those conversations continue … it’s a very likely possibility, I’m finding ways to get there.

Scott Robertson’s Game and Training Story

Playing:

1995 Bay of Plenty
1996-2003 Canterbury
1996-2003 crusaders
1998-2002 All Blacks
2003-2006 Perpignan
2006-2007 Ricoh Black Rams

Training:

2013-2016 Canterbury
2015-2016 New Zealand U20
2007-2021 Crusaders

This story first appeared on RugbyPass.com and was published with permission.