Former Springboks coach Jake White has thrown the spotlight on All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson's tumultuous tenure, following a deeply disappointing 43-10 thrashing by South Africa. With New Zealand Rugby (NZR) under scrutiny, White voiced concerns over Robertson, who stepped into the role after Ian Foster and has since witnessed a string of losses, including a historic defeat in Argentina.
In just over a year, Robertson's All Blacks have suffered six losses, marking one of the worst win records for a New Zealand coach in such a short span. "Scott Robertson deserved his shot at the All Blacks hot seat," White acknowledged in his RugbyPass column. He added,
"He won seven Super Rugby competitions in a row, but losing six Tests in his first 21 as All Blacks coach would have to be one of the poorest win records of any All Blacks coach."
The debate intensifies as the All Blacks face the possibility of losing their historic stronghold at Eden Park to Australia. "Traditionally, they have backed their coaches, but will they be forced to consider change? You hope not," White expressed, reflecting the sentiment that many fans and pundits might share.
While Robertson faces criticism, White suggests that the blame should also fall on NZR for their recent decision-making, particularly highlighting the controversial handling of Foster and his coaching team. "The NZRU are traditionally very loyal, and they will always do things the right way, but in my opinion, they erred by appointing Scott Robertson while Ian Foster was in post," he criticized.
Moreover, the loss of key coaching talents like Tony Brown to rivals has only fueled public dismay. "All of a sudden people are questioning whether Scott Robertson is the right man, but it is a collective responsibility at NZRU. It’s not all down to the head coach to fix everything," White concluded, pushing for a broader perspective on the challenges facing New Zealand Rugby.
Amidst the uproar, Eddie Jones has come to Robertson's defense, slamming the criticism as "absolutely rubbish" after the record defeat. This conflict of opinions only adds to the drama surrounding the future of New Zealand's rugby leadership, with Robertson at the turbulent center.