All Blacks: NZ Rugby boss slams ‘player revolt’ claims as Ardie Savea was ‘not influential’ in Scott Robertson’s sacking
All Blacks star Ardie Savea and an inset of now former head coach Scott Robertson
Ardie Savea did not lead a player revolt, resulting in Scott Robertson’s dismissal as the All Blacks head coach, New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk claims.
Reports on Wednesday stated that the loose forward was weighing up his options and could remain in Kobe beyond the current Japan Rugby League One season or link up with a team in the northern hemisphere, like Leinster. This would make him ineligible for the All Blacks at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
It was reported that Savea was ‘seriously unhappy’ with the coaching staff and could put his international career on ice if major changes weren’t made.
On Thursday, New Zealand Rugby made the first major change with the confirmation that Robertson will be vacating his position with immediate effect as the union begins its search for his successor.
Players were canvased before a decision was reached
NZ Rugby chairman Kirk claims that a player revolt against the now former head coach did not take place, but the board and high-performance management did ‘canvas’ around 20 players as they reviewed the side’s 2025 season.
He states that there was certainly no revolt from the players to get Robertson removed from his position, but a consistent theme did emerge from the investigations, which led NZ Rugby to make the decision to part ways with the head coach.
“Not every player was canvased, but a large number of players were canvased, close to 20 players were canvased, a little under, and the management, the most senior management and all of the coaches, including the head coach,” Kirk told reporters shortly after the decision was made public.
“There was a consistent theme, there was a consistent direction delivered to us, which was what we then followed up on and investigated further.”
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Kirk hit back at the suggestion that Savea somehow led the charge for Robertson to be dismissed and dispelled rumours of a player revolt.
“There was definitely no revolt. The players were very measured and thoughtful in their responses. It’s very unfair to say that Ardie somehow led something, not at all,” he said.
“He expressed public opinions. Some of those opinions were not agreed with by other players. Others would have been somewhat aligned with them.
“All of the players are individuals, make their own decisions, and analyse things in ways that are appropriate for them and the team.
“It’s a real red herring to think of Ardie having been influential in this decision. He absolutely was not.
“[Savea’s] contracted to us until the end of 2027. I would definitely expect to see him in a black jersey.”
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Leadership group’s reaction
During his two years in charge of the All Blacks, Robertson oversaw 27 Test matches, winning 20 in total. However, the side produced inconsistent performances and failed to win the Rugby Championship in both 2024 and 2025, a tournament that they have dominated over the years.
There was much fanfare for his appointment as Ian Foster’s successor after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but the former Crusaders boss was unable to translate his success at Super Rugby, where he won eight titles, to the international stage.
Kirk, who captained the All Blacks to World Cup glory in 1987, stated that the side wasn’t on the ‘right trajectory’ for the 2027 tournament in Australia but believes that the players will take the decision in their stride regardless of who takes over.
“We’ve spoken to the leadership group before the announcement,” Kirk said. “Their reaction was, they just absorbed it.
“I know this from personal experience: players are players, you get on with it. You want to impress the coach, you want to be seen to be someone seen to be contributing.
“I think the players, all players, just get on with whatever environment they’re in.”
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