Sir Wayne Smith to make ‘coincidental’ overseas move after hitting out at New Zealand Rugby over Scott Robertson decision
Ex-All Blacks coaches Wayne Smith and Scott Robertson.
All Blacks legend Sir Wayne Smith is reportedly set to take up a position abroad after leaving New Zealand Rugby in another blow for the governing body.
The 68-year-old is one of the most respected figures in the game and has been working with both the Black Ferns and All Blacks on a part-time basis since 2023.
Smith’s role as a NZR performance coach saw him help Scott Robertson out on occasion by joining training and passing on some advice, while also overseeing the work Robertson and his team were doing.
He left that position at the end of 2025 following the conclusion of his contract and, according to the New Zealand Herald, his next job will be overseas at a professional club in a “senior coaching leadership role”.
Defence of Scott Robertson
This comes after the former All Blacks and Black Ferns coach hit the headlines recently when he defended Robertson and criticised NZR for their decision to sack the head coach.
“Unfortunately, Razor hasn’t been given more time, greater opportunity to adapt and overcome many of the challenges new All Blacks coaches face. I feel sad about that – for Razor and our game,” he said in a statement.
“They obviously feel that the win percentage wasn’t going to improve, although that is just guesswork.
“I actually found Razor and his coaches to be extremely competent around their roles.
“Progress is often slow when you take over as a new AB coaching group. You learn as you go. Nothing truly prepares you for it.
“It’s a tough old gig when 76% isn’t good enough. They obviously feel that the win percentage wasn’t going to improve, although that is just guesswork.
“Coaching in this environment is becoming more and more challenging. Egos abound, 76% win records are no longer enough.”
The timing
Despite those strong words, the Herald claims that the timing of this is merely “coincidental” and that Smith parted on “mutual terms” with the governing body.
His destination has not yet been disclosed but you would think that it rules him out of a position in the new All Blacks head coach’s backroom team.
Smith’s name has been bandied about as NZR search for a successor to Robertson, with Jamie Joseph favourite to take the role.
Whoever gets the job, they may like to have the 68-year-old involved in some capacity but, should his new role be confirmed, the governing body will have lost another valued member of New Zealand’s brains trust.
It has also been reported that current Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt will not throw his hat into the ring for the All Blacks head coach’s job when his contract with Rugby Australia finished in July.
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