After months of speculation and turmoil in the All Blacks coaching camp, Scott ’Razor’ Robertson has finally been announced as the team’s next head coach.
In a weird and frankly dumb quirk of sporting politics the Crusader’s coach has been announced well in advance of his first day next year, well in advance of the Rugby World Cup in September where current coach Ian Foster will instead lead the team.
Sky Sports' rugby commentator Grant Nisbett told Tova O'Brien he thinks Razor is the right man for the job.
"I sort of saw it coming and I think Robertson was always going to be the favourite given his record," Nisbett said.
"Had it been Joseph I think most people would've said that's a very good decision as well."
Despite doubts that Robertson has no international experience, Nisbett said you can't take away from the outstanding success he has had domestically.
"I think that's beside the point really.
"Todd Blackadder was at the Crusaders for nine years and didn't win a title, Scott Robertson comes along and immediately wins six in a row.
"You can't really condemn that, with the cattle that he's had, he's done extremely well."
Nisbett is disappointed with the way the NZR has treated current coach Ian Foster and can't understand the reason behind appointing a new coach over a year in advance.
"He's been treated very poorly.
"In 2024, the All Blacks won't play a game probably until about July… Well we are in late March in 2023 and we already know who the All Black coach is going to be 15 months on and I don't think that is necessary quite frankly."
Sports broadcaster Scotty Stevenson, who also spoke to O'Brien on Wednesday morning, shared Nisbett's sentiment for Foster.
"I'm sure Ian Foster has felt like he has been on quicksand over the last 15 months and he has probably got a right to feel that way," Stevenson said.
He admitted the behind-the-scenes of the selection process are largely unknown and is unlikely to be revealed any time soon.
"The questions around the process, who applied and who was interviewed were fended off both by Dame Patsy Reddy, the chairperson of NZR and Mark Robinson the CEO.
"We really don't know what the process was about."
Listen to the full interview between Sky Sports' commentator Grant Nisbett, sports broadcaster Scotty Stevenson and Tova above.
You can also download the full interview on the Tova podcast, and listen on the go.
