10 possible destinations for Scott Robertson as ex-All Blacks coach barred from ‘top’ jobs
Ex-All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and an inset of a Harlequins' flag
Following the news that Scott Robertson has been dismissed as the All Blacks’ head coach, we take a look at where he could land next.
During his two-year tenure as the famous team’s boss, Robertson won 20 of his 27 matches, but unconvincing performances and negative feedback during an extensive review of 2025 led New Zealand Rugby to pull the trigger.
His successor will need to do a Rassie Erasmus-esque job, tasked with winning the Rugby World Cup with just two years of preparation before Australia 2027.
While there is plenty of noise around who will be replacing Robertson, we take a look at what’s next for Robertson.
Dream dead in the water for now
The All Blacks gig was the dream for Robertson, and more importantly, he wanted to win the Rugby World Cup with New Zealand and boldly set the goal to win the tournament with two nations.
He declared as much before he was named as Ian Foster’s successor, announcing his intentions on The Rugby Pod.
“I want to win a Rugby World Cup, but I want to win it with two different countries. I haven’t said that publicly before. I have now,” he said back in July 2022.
“It would be great to win a World Cup with your own country, which I want to do, but I’d love to do it with another country. I’m not sure what order that is. I’m not sure how that plays out. Those decisions are not mine.”
His goal of doing it with his home nation looks to be dead in the water, at least for the time being, and unfortunately for him, the chances of him achieving the other half of his dream is on pause too.
New Zealand Rugby Chairman David Kirk confirmed as much when addressing the media after the announcement of Robertson’s sacking.
The RFU did not include any clauses in Eddie Jones’ contract preventing him from taking on another international gig in the event of his dismissal, and he went on to coach Australia at the World Cup, taking on the role shortly after his departure from Twickenham.
However, NZ Rugby were wary of making a similar mistake with Kirk confirming that he is barred from taking on a top international job for the next 12 months or so.
“He has some constraints on who he can work for, and that lasts for a period,” the former All Blacks captain confirmed.
“There are a number of international countries. Mostly the top-tier one countries for about a year.”
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At the very least, one could assume that precludes him from working with fellow SANZAAR nations, Argentina, Australia, and South Africa. Additionally, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales are likely to be off the table too and possibly Japan and Fiji as well – with all those nations taking part in the Nations Championship.
Kirk would not disclose further details, but it’s certainly a fair assumption that he will be blocked for any of the top 10-ranked nations in the world and some below.
The All Blacks surely wouldn’t have barred him from all international gigs, and with Georgia also dismissing their head coach, Richard Cockerill, they might fancy an audacious bid for his services.
It is also common practise for World Rugby to fund coaches joining tier two nations and assist teams at Rugby World Cups, which could well lead to Robertson linking up with just about any country in the year of the tournament.
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Possibly
It didn’t even take 24 hours for the reports to emerge that northern hemisphere teams were eager to snap up Robertson’s services.
The most notable of which was Harlequins, who are understood to be huge admirers of the former Crusaders boss. The Famous Quarters have experienced a serious brain drain in recent times, with Danny Wilson and Billy Millard leaving the Stoop ahead of the 2025/26 season, the former doing so on the eve of the new campaign.
This has left the ex-Prem champions without a formal head coach, with Jason Gilmore currently keeping the figurehead seat warm. In theory, he could be catapulted straight into the thick of it, as the aforementioned constraints surely won’t exclude him from that position.
Staying in the PREM and the Newcastle Red Bulls have also been floated as a possible destination for the eight-time title-winning ‘Saders boss. Newcastle parted ways with director of rugby Steve Diamond after the opening game of the season. Alan Dickens is currently the side’s head coach, with Neil McIlroy employed as the sporting general manager. However, the director of rugby role is currently vacant.
Scotland boss Gregor Townsend is consulting with the team despite his international commitments, but the energy drink giants will surely be tempted to snap up a coach of proven club pedigree and a charismatic one like Robertson.
Across the Channel and Top 14 clubs could be weighing up a potential swoop for Robertson, who has expressed his interest in coaching in the French top division. The former All Blacks flanker spent three years at Perpignan during the latter stages of his career, and his ex-club could well do with his assistance as they are ranked 13th overall.
Additionally, Top 14 hopefuls Brive look set to lose Pierre-Henry Broncon to Georgia, if reports are to be believed. It would be an ambitious target for the club, but it would align with their goals of becoming a regular feature in the top division.
Then there is the case of Racing 92, which hasn’t been shy to hire a foreign head coach. Stuart Lancaster’s tenure wasn’t successful, and he was quickly shown the door, but matters haven’t really improved much under his successor Patrice Collazo, who was initially hired in an interim capacity.
Unlikely
How about a move to South Africa? With his love for the ocean and surfing, Durban would be a stunning fit for Robertson, particularly with the Sharks in the market for a full-time head coach.
Former Springbok JP Pietersen will see out the remainder of the season as the interim head coach while the club continues its search for John Plumtree’s successor.
Those at the Sharks will be well aware of what Razor is capable of in club rugby, but would he be a good fit? Frankly, it’s hard to say. One would imagine that the Sharks are targeting a South African coach to take charge in Durban, but a phone call wouldn’t hurt.
Not out of the question
Then there are the Crusaders. Rob Penney epically turned things around after a disastrous first season as Robertson’s successor, as they clinched the Super Rugby Pacific title in his second campaign.
Still, when the club and Super Rugby’s most successful head coach comes knocking, you’ve at the very least got to hear him out.
Additionally, Japan has become a popular destination for fired head coaches with Dave Rennie, Graham Rowntree, and Ian Foster currently employed in the Asian nation. Robertson also played in the country during the latter stages of his career and could return there with several clubs bound to be interested.
Prediction
Having run through the options, we lay a massive prediction on the table as to where Robertson will actually land.
The now former All Blacks boss won’t be lacking offers, and one team we predict will be tabling a proposal is Leinster. The Irish giants have made a point of adding high-profile coaches to their ticket, with Felipe Contepomi, Lancaster and Jacques Nienaber all working under Leo Cullen.
Nienaber recently extended his contract through to the end of next season, and while Robertson wouldn’t be a like-for-like replacement, he would fit the high-profile bill.
Similarly, Cullen’s contract also runs through to the end of the 2026/27 campaign. The former Ireland lock has been at the helm of the province since 2015, but frustrations have grown over recent seasons over the lack of titles. Sure, they won the United Rugby Championship, but the star-studded outfit hasn’t won the Investec Champions Cup since 2018, losing four finals since then.
Could Robertson be the man that Leinster trust to replace Cullen? Only time will tell. It’s also worth noting that the Irish club also conducted a knowledge-sharing project during Robertson’s time with the Crusaders, clearly valuing his expertise and insight.
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