Scott Robertson reveals the ‘art’ of selection after 2024 struggles exposed surprising All Blacks flaw
Samisoni Taukei'aho, who scored against Argentina, in action against France and All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson.
All Blacks boss Scott Robertson has admitted that it was a baptism of fire in his first year as he got to grips with the extra selectorial challenges Test rugby brings.
The 51-year-old enjoyed remarkable success at Super Rugby level, winning seven titles in as many seasons with the Crusaders before taking on the national team job.
Much was expected of the All Blacks when he took over but they endured a mixed 2024 in Robertson’s first year in charge.
Bench impact a previous strength
They particularly struggled in the second half of matches, which was previously a consistent strength for New Zealand, especially under Sir Graham Henry and Sir Steve Hansen.
Their inability to score points in the latter stages of games became a theme for the side and forced the head coach into a rethink.
It has not been an issue this year, though, and replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho touched down twice in the final 15 minutes last Saturday to secure a 41-24 victory over Argentina in round one 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 told reporters.
“We’ve got depth in all those different positions. A prime example is Finlay Christie. He has been around a bit and he does the basics so incredibly well.
“It’s the balance of it, giving a couple of younger players a chance to get on but also have the guys that are on the bench who are experienced.
“It’s just like on the field and off the field, the ability to have the balance of a strong bench.
“You learn by doing and the players that are coming on, you review their impact and their discipline, and it’s another chance this week.”
5-3 or 6-2
Despite having a focus on getting the bench right, the All Blacks have so far resisted the temptation to follow other countries and go with the 6-2 split.
Instead, Robertson has stuck with tradition in an attempt to improve their impact, believing that going forward-heavy will not automatically prove more successful.
“There are lots of different ways; your system, your training, your mental mindset to finishing and you know all Test match rugby is going to swing,” he said.
“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?
“No one ever dominates for that whole period of time but you can swing and counter that. It’s a good feeling that we can create at the end of games and start finishing what we have created.”
Two players who could feasibly strengthen the bench this weekend are Wallace Sititi and Tamaiti Williams, although Robertson may want to give them a chance from the start with the Springboks looming.
The All Blacks boss has insisted that they will not be playing the whole match, however, with them only just returning from injury.
“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,” he added.
“They’ve hit those and then it’s a little bit of management so they are not going to go 80. They’re fit and healthy but they will be on managed minutes.”
