Scott Robertson’s first response since All Blacks sacking revealed as ‘gagged’ theory given weight
Scott Robertson and New Zealand Rugby chair David Kirk, who made the decision to dismiss him as All Blacks head coach.
It may be a while before Scott Robertson gets to tell his side of the story in the wake of his departure as All Blacks head coach.
New Zealand Rugby took the decision to sack the 51-year-old midway through his four-year contract following a mixed couple of years in charge.
Despite plenty of underwhelming displays, the All Blacks still emerged triumphant in 20 of their 27 matches under Robertson, which equated to a 74 per cent win percentage.
It was possibly more to do with his relationship with the players as to why the Crusaders legend was given the axe, with reports of unrest surfacing.
NZR chair David Kirk denied that there was a revolt, but Robertson has not yet clarified his position since the news came out.
Stuff reached out and offered the former Test back-rower an opportunity to speak out, but that was declined.
“I am sure you understand my position,” Robertson told the outlet in a text. That was then followed by a potentially telling emoji which was a face with its mouth closed by a zipper.
Tony Brown reveals Scott Robertson’s desperate late attempt before All Blacks sacking
‘Obvious Robertson has been gagged’
The terms of Robertson’s departure may prevent him from speaking to the media for the time being and that is the view of presenter and pundit Scotty Stevenson.
“I’ve heard some clowns demanding Scott Robertson front and be interviewed. I mean, it’s obvious to me that a part of the severance and a part of this agreement, he’s been gagged,” Stevenson said on Sport Nation.
“So New Zealand Rugby get to front a press conference. The chairman of New Zealand Rugby fronts a press conference… I’m led to believe that members of the senior executive of New Zealand had no idea what he was going to say in that press conference, by the way.
“I’m also led to believe that senior members of the All Blacks had no idea, until half an hour before David Kirk fronted a press conference, that they were sacking the coach.
“Now, tell me how you get from let’s run a robust fair review system to the chairman of New Zealand Rugby standing up, essentially saying goodbye to Scott Robertson with so few people in the picture. Assistant coaches didn’t know.”
Stevenson added: “I wouldn’t expect him to throw his toys. But what I’m saying is there can only be one reason why Scott Robertson would not be fronting here, and that’s because New Zealand Rugby have said it’s the terms of your departure that you do not say anything.
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“Tell me I’m wrong, I’m prepared, if New Zealand Rugby want to say that that’s not the case, then come and say it. Otherwise, I’m just going to make the assumption that that’s part and parcel of what’s happened here.
“But I would love to know how many players were involved in this review, because I’m going to say to you for fact, it wasn’t all of them. What questions were asked? And how now you’ve got the situation where your foremost rugby expert [Smith], the guy you contract to consult on rugby, says he saw good things about the coaches.
“But David Kirk, the chairman of New Zealand Rugby, a man who hasn’t played the game in three and a half decades, seems to know more about that than Wayne Smith.”
READ MORE: Prominent Kiwi pundit calls ‘bullsh–t’ on NZ Rugby claims after Scott Robertson ‘hit-job’
