NZ Rugby tries to nip Robertson's All Blacks bombshell in the bud

NEWS: Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson caused a stir on Wednesday when he revealed that New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will make an announcement on the appointment process for the next All Blacks “in the next few days”.

Robertson, who is seen as a front-runner by many to succeed Ian Foster as the All Blacks head coach after this year’s World Cup, revealed the info during a Crusaders press conference in Christchurch.

However, according to a report on stuff.co.nz, New Zealand Rugby was quick to nip things in the bud after Robertson’s comments.

“New Zealand Rugby (NZR) is continuing to have internal discussions, but an announcement about the All Blacks’ head coach or process is not imminent,” said a statement.

Whatever the plan is, Robertson seems to know exactly how it will unfold.

“I’ve been really patient,” he told reporters on Wednesday

“I think where we are now, that’s what we’re going to deal with, not what’s happened and the next two weeks is big.”

When asked if he was happy with the plan, Robertson laughed before saying: “I haven’t signed anything yet.”

Last week, New Zealand media reported that the NZR board will decide this month whether to reveal the next All Blacks head coach before or after the World Cup.

#NEWS: Some more big news coming out of New Zealand 👇#AllBLacks #NewZealand https://t.co/omrIAOh8C6

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) February 8, 2023

“Whatever their process is, they’ve just got to give me enough run-in time whenever they go. And I can do my job here at Rugby Park [with the Crusaders],” Robertson said.

“It’s part of it, at one stage there it could have only been 10 days and I was coaching a Test match. Whatever the lead in, whatever the time is, I’ll deal with that.”

On that “lead in”, Robertson was referring to last year when he was lined up to get the All Blacks job. However, Foster saved himself when his team beat the Springboks in Johannesburg in the Rugby Championship.

Foster’s current contract ends after the World Cup.

It has been known that Robertson has been pushing the NZR to change their ways and name the coach before the World Cup.

“Our job is results driven, it’s board driven and people have got to make decisions, and you live with them,” Robertson explained.

“I think my integrity is really important. Well, it is to me and making sure I live by those standards all the time. I’ve got to trust their process and take a big breath when I need to, and it will all work out.”

Source: Stuff.co.nz