New dawn for All Blacks under 'Razor'
SPOTLIGHT: New Zealanders are confronting a new era for their beloved All Blacks after their defeat in the World Cup final.
The final whistle heralded the end of the road for many senior figures in the game.
Defeated coach Ian Foster is out, his challenging four-year reign already ended by New Zealand Rugby (NZR).
The governing body announced in March that Foster would be replaced by Scott “Razor” Robertson, regardless of their World Cup showing.
Robertson won’t be able to call on Dane Coles, who is retiring, or superstars Brodie Retallick, Aaron Smith, and Sam Whitelock, who made France 2023 their All Blacks swansong.
Another group of senior players are unlikely to be seen again, at least in the short term, as they fall foul of eligibility rules.
Beauden Barrett (Toyota in Japan), Richie Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell (both Toshiba Brave Lupus in Japan), Leicester Fainga’anuku (Toulon in France) and Nepo Laulala (Toulouse in France) are moving abroad.
NZR maintains a strict decades-long policy of selecting All Black squads from players in the Super Rugby competition.
Speaking in April, Robertson said he was keen to review that strategy.
“You’ve got to be a step ahead. If you’re a step behind and then changing rules, that’s when you get caught,” he said.
“They will definitely be getting my opinion and my thoughts.”
Ardie Savea (Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan) will also head abroad in 2024, but has re-signed with NZR for 2025.
Cane and Jordie Barrett also hold sabbatical options, similar to Savea, in their NZR deals.
New Zealand’s other winner at the World Rugby awards was 26-year-old winger Mark Tele’a, named as breakthrough player of the year, and a key part of Robertson’s future.
Robertson will also be joined by a new-look coaching panel, with only forwards coach Jason Ryan retained from current All Blacks assistant coaches.
Leon McDonald and Jason Holland have been plucked from Super Rugby head coaching roles in Auckland and Wellington to manage the attack. Scott Hansen, Robertson’s assistant at the Crusaders, will be in charge of defence.
