Scott Robertson receives blow as All Blacks fly-half to sign for French giants ‘in the coming weeks’ – report
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and fly-half Harry Plummer.
Scott Robertson could soon be down a fly-half after reports emerged that one of the All Blacks’ options has opened talks with a French side.
New Zealand’s head coach has trialled Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie and Harry Plummer this year, and it is the latter who could be set to head overseas.
According to Midi Olympique, Plummer has already visited Clermont Auvergne’s base and should sign a deal with the Top 14 giants ‘in the coming weeks.’
If it goes through, it would be a blow for Robertson, with the All Blacks boss struggling to find his first choice option in the number 10 slot this year.
Fly-half battle
McKenzie was handed the reins at the beginning of the campaign, starting the opening eight matches, before Barrett took over at the end of the Rugby Championship.
However, the former World Rugby Player of the Year is now 33 and, looking ahead to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Robertson will want younger options to come through to at least challenge the experienced duo.
Even McKenzie is only a few months shy of his 30th birthday, which means Plummer, who has established himself as their third choice option, would be very useful to keep around.
The Blues playmaker enjoyed an outstanding 2024 domestically, helping the Auckland-based side to win their first Super Rugby title since 2003.
He then made his All Blacks debut in the Rugby Championship, coming on for the final few minutes in their 31-28 victory over the Wallabies.
Although Plummer was left out of the squad for the northern hemisphere tour, he was selected in the second-string All Blacks XV and impressed in the triumph over Munster.
Rejoining the first team
After Billy Proctor returned home for the birth of his first child, the playmaker earned an All Blacks recall and helped them prepare for their games against Ireland and France.
The 26-year-old still has a year remaining on his contract but, should he depart to Clermont, that will open the door for other fly-halves.
Josh Jacomb joined Plummer in the All Blacks XV squad and started in the triumph over Georgia. That followed a good end to the Super Rugby Pacific season with the Chiefs and a fine NPC campaign with Taranaki.
As for the Blues, they will be boosted by Barrett’s return in 2025 following his stint in Japan, which could influence Plummer’s decision over his future.
