New Zealand appoint Scott Robertson to replace Ian Foster as All Blacks head coach after World Cup | Rugby Union News

Scott Robertson will end the Tremendous Rugby season with the Canterbury Crusaders earlier than taking on from Ian Foster because the All Blacks after the Rugby World Cup this autumn in France; Japanese coach Jamie Joseph was additionally thought-about for the function

Scott Robertson will succeed Ian Foster as All Blacks head coach after this yr’s Rugby World Cup, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has confirmed.

Robertson was appointed on a four-year contract, taking him till the top of the 2027 World Cup in Australia, with NZR signing on shortly to lock within the Canterbury Crusaders boss.

The 48-year-old will stay Crusaders boss for the rest of the Tremendous Rugby 2023 marketing campaign, earlier than changing Foster following the conclusion of the World Cup in France on the finish of October.

“It’s an honor to be named the following All Blacks head coach,” stated Robertson. “It is a job that comes with an enormous accountability, however I am delighted to have the chance to contribute to the legacy of the black jersey.

“Representing your nation, as a coach or a participant, is the final word honor in sport and it is humbling to have this chance. I am unable to wait.”

Robertson – nicknamed ‘Razor’ – misplaced the function of Foster after the 2019 World Cup when Steve Hansen stepped down, however his continued success in Tremendous Rugby has stored him firmly within the dialog for future candidates.

Robertson has helped the Crusaders dominate Tremendous Rugby in current seasons

There was heavy hypothesis within the media that Robertson was set to turn out to be head coach final yr after the All Blacks suffered a five-game dropping streak in six Assessments, earlier than NZR determined to stick with Foster after a evaluate in August.

Robertson, who has guided the Crusaders to 6 Tremendous Rugby titles since taking on the South Island aspect in 2017, made no secret of his teaching ambitions on the highest stage or his need to play a task at overseas if crucial.

Fearing that few choices will stay on the desk after the World Cup, NZR confirmed three weeks in the past that it had launched a bidding course of to type out the problem as quickly as attainable.

Foster, who complained the teaching recruitment saga may show a distraction for the workforce, refused to reapply for his job, leaving a two-horse race between Robertson and Japanese coach Jamie Joseph. .

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New Zealand head coach Ian Foster was delighted to see his aspect finish the Rugby Championship on a optimistic notice final autumn with a crushing victory in opposition to Australia.

Robertson’s appointment ends hypothesis, however it might not reassure Foster, who has stated he would have appreciated an opportunity to proceed within the job if the All Blacks have been to win the World Cup in France from September 8 to twenty-eight. october.

“The choice to nominate the following All Blacks head coach forward of the Rugby World Cup was not taken flippantly, however we imagine it was the proper choice for New Zealand rugby and the All Blacks. and that this can set the workforce up for future success,” stated Patsy Reddy, NZR Board Chair.

New Zealand start their World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to hosts France on September 8, with the All Blacks additionally joined in Pool A by Italy, Uruguay and Namibia. Foster will depart his function, no matter his efficiency within the event.