Stepping into the role of All Blacks head coach, Scott Robertson encountered a steep learning curve, grappling with the complexities of Test rugby selection that his illustrious tenure with the Crusaders hadn't prepared him for. Despite his seven-title streak at the club level, Robertson's inaugural year with the national team in 2024 exposed some surprising weaknesses, particularly in the squad's second-half performance—a stark departure from their historically strong finishes under predecessors like Sir Graham Henry and Sir Steve Hansen.
The All Blacks' inability to rack up points in the closing stages of games last year prompted Robertson to recalibrate his strategy. This season, however, the tide seems to have turned, showcased by replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho's crucial twin tries in the dying minutes against Argentina, sealing a 41-24 win in the opening round of the 2025 Rugby Championship.
"It's clear what we learned last year around our finishing and our squad, there's an art to it. Experience obviously counts but also what is required at that time,"
Robertson explained. He emphasized the importance of a balanced bench, highlighting Finlay Christie's fundamental role and the integration of younger players to maintain this equilibrium.
While other nations might opt for a heavier 6-2 split between forwards and backs, Robertson prefers sticking to the traditional 5-3, focusing on enhancing bench impact without leaning too much on a forward-heavy setup.
"You know rugby's going to swing. There are going to be chances where others have opportunities with the ball for long periods of time, but how do you bounce out of it?"
he remarked, stressing the dynamic nature of Test rugby and the need for strategic resilience.
Looking ahead, Robertson hinted at potential adjustments for the upcoming clash with the Springboks. Players like Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Williams, freshly recovered from injuries, are poised to contribute but won't be shouldering a full game's load just yet. "They have had a couple of really good training weeks so the load, time on feet, scrummaging with Tamaiti and the running metres for Wallace has been really critical for us," Robertson noted, underscoring the careful management of their return to play.
This weekend's match might not only test the All Blacks' tactical finesse but also their ability to integrate returning players effectively, ensuring they are battle-ready but not overburdened as they face one of their toughest opponents yet.
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Stepping into the role of All Blacks head coach, Scott Robertson encountered a steep learning curve, grappling with the complexities of Test rugby selection that his illustrious tenure with the Crusaders hadn't prepared him for. Despite his seven-title streak at the club level, Robertson's inaugural year with the national team in 2024 exposed some surprising weaknesses, particularly in the squad's second-half performance—a stark departure from their historically strong finishes under predecessors like Sir Graham Henry and Sir Steve Hansen.
The All Blacks' inability to rack up points in the closing stages of games last year prompted Robertson to recalibrate his strategy. This season, however, the tide seems to have turned, showcased by replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho's crucial twin tries in the dying minutes against Argentina, sealing a 41-24 win in the opening round of the 2025 Rugby Championship.
"It's clear what we learned last year around our finishing and our squad, there's an art to it. Experience obviously counts but also what is required at that time,"
Robertson explained. He emphasized the importance of a balanced bench, highlighting Finlay Christie's fundamental role and the integration of younger players to maintain this equilibrium.While other nations might opt for a heavier 6-2 split between forwards and backs, Robertson prefers sticking to the traditional 5-3, focusing on enhancing bench impact without leaning too much on a forward-heavy setup.
"You know rugby's going to swing. There are going to be chances where others have opportunities with the ball for long periods of time, but how do you bounce out of it?"
he remarked, stressing the dynamic nature of Test rugby and the need for strategic resilience.Looking ahead, Robertson hinted at potential adjustments for the upcoming clash with the Springboks. Players like Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Williams, freshly recovered from injuries, are poised to contribute but won't be shouldering a full game's load just yet. "They have had a couple of really good training weeks so the load, time on feet, scrummaging with Tamaiti and the running metres for Wallace has been really critical for us," Robertson noted, underscoring the careful management of their return to play.
This weekend's match might not only test the All Blacks' tactical finesse but also their ability to integrate returning players effectively, ensuring they are battle-ready but not overburdened as they face one of their toughest opponents yet.