Scott Robertson
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@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
when it was still a competition (and not just get to the finals and watch Dmac shit the bed and hand you the game).
I think this was a red flag in hindsight though. He missed out in 2019/20 to Foster and is told he and his team need more diverse experience.
So what does he do? Sticks around NZ and effectively doesnt change a thing. Just bides his time.
How exactly did he evolve in 2020-23? He didnt even have to deal with a new crop of players as it was the same core leadership group (Mounga, Whitelock, Taylor etc).
@KiwiMurph said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
when it was still a competition (and not just get to the finals and watch Dmac shit the bed and hand you the game).
I think this was a red flag in hindsight though. He missed out in 2019/20 to Foster and is told he and his team need more diverse experience.
So what does he do? Sticks around NZ and effectively doesnt change a thing. Just bides his time.
How exactly did he evolve in 2020-23? He didnt even have to deal with a new crop of players as it was the same core leadership group (Mounga, Whitelock, Taylor etc).
That's pretty much it. Got told to spread his wings, but didn't. Just milked the praise from the local fans/press instead of trying to evolve as a coach.
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@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
when it was still a competition (and not just get to the finals and watch Dmac shit the bed and hand you the game).
I think this was a red flag in hindsight though. He missed out in 2019/20 to Foster and is told he and his team need more diverse experience.
So what does he do? Sticks around NZ and effectively doesnt change a thing. Just bides his time.
How exactly did he evolve in 2020-23? He didnt even have to deal with a new crop of players as it was the same core leadership group (Mounga, Whitelock, Taylor etc).
@KiwiMurph which takes me back to the point I made earlier.
Nah we're sticking with Foster, go get some different experiences.
Foster's results improved, Razor did the same thing as before, and they STILL made the change like 15 months later.What happened?
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@KiwiMurph which takes me back to the point I made earlier.
Nah we're sticking with Foster, go get some different experiences.
Foster's results improved, Razor did the same thing as before, and they STILL made the change like 15 months later.What happened?
@mariner4life said in Scott Robertson:
@KiwiMurph which takes me back to the point I made earlier.
Nah we're sticking with Foster, go get some different experiences.
Foster's results improved, Razor did the same thing as before, and they STILL made the change like 15 months later.What happened?
He threatened to leave and Robinson caved
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@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
If you look at the squads he had over the years he was completely responsible for growing most of those players. Completely out coached any super coach he came up against. His game planes against the Blues and Chiefs squads over the past few years completely dismantled them and he was clearly a better coach than McMillan, Crotter, McDonald, Joseph etc.
Not acknowledging that the Crusaders do a much better job than other franchises in almost every aspect - having better players, greater depth and a stronger overall setup for success - is just as crazy as not acknowledging Robertson’s success. You make it sound like he would’ve won seven titles with any franchise.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
If you look at the squads he had over the years he was completely responsible for growing most of those players. Completely out coached any super coach he came up against. His game planes against the Blues and Chiefs squads over the past few years completely dismantled them and he was clearly a better coach than McMillan, Crotter, McDonald, Joseph etc.
Not acknowledging that the Crusaders do a much better job than other franchises in almost every aspect - having better players, greater depth and a stronger overall setup for success - is just as crazy as not acknowledging Robertson’s success. You make it sound like he would’ve won seven titles with any franchise.
And not acknowledging a big improvement in the Crusaders from Todd Blackadder to Robertson, and a big drop from Robertson to Penney, seems a bit of an oversight too?
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At the risk of driving this off topic Penney I think deserves more credit after getting the title last year, went through some pain in 24 but managed to get them in the right space in 2025 to win. Also had to deal with no Mo’unga or Whitelock in 2024, two seismic losses plus Will Jordan missed the entire season.
Razor didn’t have to deal with that sort of adversity - there were years he used a lot of players but never the departures like in 2024. -
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
If you look at the squads he had over the years he was completely responsible for growing most of those players. Completely out coached any super coach he came up against. His game planes against the Blues and Chiefs squads over the past few years completely dismantled them and he was clearly a better coach than McMillan, Crotter, McDonald, Joseph etc.
Not acknowledging that the Crusaders do a much better job than other franchises in almost every aspect - having better players, greater depth and a stronger overall setup for success - is just as crazy as not acknowledging Robertson’s success. You make it sound like he would’ve won seven titles with any franchise.
And not acknowledging a big improvement in the Crusaders from Todd Blackadder to Robertson, and a big drop from Robertson to Penney, seems a bit of an oversight too?
@reprobate said in Scott Robertson:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
If you look at the squads he had over the years he was completely responsible for growing most of those players. Completely out coached any super coach he came up against. His game planes against the Blues and Chiefs squads over the past few years completely dismantled them and he was clearly a better coach than McMillan, Crotter, McDonald, Joseph etc.
Not acknowledging that the Crusaders do a much better job than other franchises in almost every aspect - having better players, greater depth and a stronger overall setup for success - is just as crazy as not acknowledging Robertson’s success. You make it sound like he would’ve won seven titles with any franchise.
And not acknowledging a big improvement in the Crusaders from Todd Blackadder to Robertson, and a big drop from Robertson to Penney, seems a bit of an oversight too?
Why would I need to? That’s changing the frame of the discussion: how much was already in place at the Crusaders compared to other franchises. Pointing to Blackadder before and Penney after doesn’t negate that - especially when Penney still won a title in his second year.
Robertson definitely did something well - he got players to work hard for him, even the methods seem silly. That doesn’t mean he didn’t benefit from the strongest setup in the competition.
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@mohikamo said in Scott Robertson:
@Dan54 said in Scott Robertson:
I thought the English test worried me more , we looked lost whole test.
Yep, I actually stopped watching that game when we were 12 in front. Had already seen enough.
Mate I admit one thing I can't do is ever stop watching a test
Lol perhaps I just a desperate though mate, and understand why you did.@Dan54 said in Scott Robertson:
Mate I admit one thing I can't do is ever stop watching a test
Lol perhaps I just a desperate though mate, and understand why you did.I did watch every single test match for about 50 years (since 71), and all the non-test matches when they started broadcasting them (78 tour I think).
And before that it was radio!
In the last few years tho, the game has headed in a direction I never thought it would (as a spectacle that is) and I just find it sooo irritating.
Still watch a lot of amateur rugby tho. Lots of fun, everyday guys and girls gettin out there and havin a go. -
@reprobate said in Scott Robertson:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
If you look at the squads he had over the years he was completely responsible for growing most of those players. Completely out coached any super coach he came up against. His game planes against the Blues and Chiefs squads over the past few years completely dismantled them and he was clearly a better coach than McMillan, Crotter, McDonald, Joseph etc.
Not acknowledging that the Crusaders do a much better job than other franchises in almost every aspect - having better players, greater depth and a stronger overall setup for success - is just as crazy as not acknowledging Robertson’s success. You make it sound like he would’ve won seven titles with any franchise.
And not acknowledging a big improvement in the Crusaders from Todd Blackadder to Robertson, and a big drop from Robertson to Penney, seems a bit of an oversight too?
Why would I need to? That’s changing the frame of the discussion: how much was already in place at the Crusaders compared to other franchises. Pointing to Blackadder before and Penney after doesn’t negate that - especially when Penney still won a title in his second year.
Robertson definitely did something well - he got players to work hard for him, even the methods seem silly. That doesn’t mean he didn’t benefit from the strongest setup in the competition.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@reprobate said in Scott Robertson:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
If you look at the squads he had over the years he was completely responsible for growing most of those players. Completely out coached any super coach he came up against. His game planes against the Blues and Chiefs squads over the past few years completely dismantled them and he was clearly a better coach than McMillan, Crotter, McDonald, Joseph etc.
Not acknowledging that the Crusaders do a much better job than other franchises in almost every aspect - having better players, greater depth and a stronger overall setup for success - is just as crazy as not acknowledging Robertson’s success. You make it sound like he would’ve won seven titles with any franchise.
And not acknowledging a big improvement in the Crusaders from Todd Blackadder to Robertson, and a big drop from Robertson to Penney, seems a bit of an oversight too?
Why would I need to? That’s changing the frame of the discussion: how much was already in place at the Crusaders compared to other franchises. Pointing to Blackadder before and Penney after doesn’t negate that - especially when Penney still won a title in his second year.
Robertson definitely did something well - he got players to work hard for him, even the methods seem silly. That doesn’t mean he didn’t benefit from the strongest setup in the competition.
Crusaders were 4th, 4th 2nd, 7th, 7th the five years before Robertson. Other teams:
Chiefs: 1, 1, 5, 5, 6
Canes: 8, 11, 7 ,2 ,1
Landers: 9, 14, 6, 1, 3
Blues were abject.As someone who doesn't believe in the Crusaders inherent superiority, the Canes, Landers and Chiefs all had better records the couple of years before Robertson took over.
Then they won seven times in a row with Robertson.
Then they were 9th the year after.It's a great record, and I find it hard to write 7 years off as a luck or 'anyone could have done it', despite what an appalling mess he's made of the ABs. Why do we need to belittle his previous achievements or re-write history?
(Off topic but really impressed with Penney last year by the way, not easy to win a title without an international 10).
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Razor did not fluke 7 years of titles so what he did suited the crusaders as well as the fact he had a team of generational talent.
But it shows the difference between super and test level. Some players are stars in super but duds at international so same applies to coaches.
Razor could go away and reinvent himself by learning in different environments its just whether he wants to. -
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@reprobate said in Scott Robertson:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
If you look at the squads he had over the years he was completely responsible for growing most of those players. Completely out coached any super coach he came up against. His game planes against the Blues and Chiefs squads over the past few years completely dismantled them and he was clearly a better coach than McMillan, Crotter, McDonald, Joseph etc.
Not acknowledging that the Crusaders do a much better job than other franchises in almost every aspect - having better players, greater depth and a stronger overall setup for success - is just as crazy as not acknowledging Robertson’s success. You make it sound like he would’ve won seven titles with any franchise.
And not acknowledging a big improvement in the Crusaders from Todd Blackadder to Robertson, and a big drop from Robertson to Penney, seems a bit of an oversight too?
Why would I need to? That’s changing the frame of the discussion: how much was already in place at the Crusaders compared to other franchises. Pointing to Blackadder before and Penney after doesn’t negate that - especially when Penney still won a title in his second year.
Robertson definitely did something well - he got players to work hard for him, even the methods seem silly. That doesn’t mean he didn’t benefit from the strongest setup in the competition.
Crusaders were 4th, 4th 2nd, 7th, 7th the five years before Robertson. Other teams:
Chiefs: 1, 1, 5, 5, 6
Canes: 8, 11, 7 ,2 ,1
Landers: 9, 14, 6, 1, 3
Blues were abject.As someone who doesn't believe in the Crusaders inherent superiority, the Canes, Landers and Chiefs all had better records the couple of years before Robertson took over.
Then they won seven times in a row with Robertson.
Then they were 9th the year after.It's a great record, and I find it hard to write 7 years off as a luck or 'anyone could have done it', despite what an appalling mess he's made of the ABs. Why do we need to belittle his previous achievements or re-write history?
(Off topic but really impressed with Penney last year by the way, not easy to win a title without an international 10).
@reprobate I didn’t say anybody could have won seven titles or that it wasn’t impressive. But to make out every coach at every franchise has the same starting point is just nonsense. And Blackadder’s record is a reflection on his coaching, not Robertson’s.
Some people think the seven titles are purely down to Robertson and nothing else. Others think there’s more to it. I’ll leave it at that.
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@reprobate I didn’t say anybody could have won seven titles or that it wasn’t impressive. But to make out every coach at every franchise has the same starting point is just nonsense. And Blackadder’s record is a reflection on his coaching, not Robertson’s.
Some people think the seven titles are purely down to Robertson and nothing else. Others think there’s more to it. I’ll leave it at that.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in Scott Robertson:
@reprobate I didn’t say anybody could have won seven titles or that it wasn’t impressive. But to make out every coach at every franchise has the same starting point is just nonsense. And Blackadder’s record is a reflection on his coaching, not Robertson’s.
Some people think the seven titles are purely down to Robertson and nothing else. Others think there’s more to it. I’ll leave it at that.
Yeah that's kinda why I elaborated the starting points... but yes happy to leave it at that.
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Seems to me there's something rotten at the assistant coach level. I'd also be very surprised if having the Mo at 10 would have helped us play that much better. General skills has deteriorated in the backline, our wingers aren't well-used, midfield is open, and the best loosies combo is anyone's guess.
I do wonder if Barrett's relatively shy performance as captain led to some team disruption. -
@Victor-Meldrew said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
@Victor-Meldrew said in Scott Robertson:
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
I’m not arguing for it. I’m saying the witch hunt style comments without acknowledging the success domestically is ridiculous. I’m glad he’s gone but this is getting pathetic
Blowback not surprising when you consider the hype the man generated.
There’s blowback, which is entirely appropriate, and then there’s borderline neurotic revisionism over what is the best super rugby record ever, winning three titles when it was still a competition (and not just get to the finals and watch Dmac shit the bed and hand you the game).
You could almost call it ironic.....
The sentiment and discourse around NZ rugby is now mirroring exactly what has gone wrong in Australia over the past 10-12 years. It’s tribal, it lacks context, it’s overly emotive, and obsessed with domestic allegiances. This kind of sentiment around Robertson is part of the problem
@jimmyb said in Scott Robertson:
The sentiment and discourse around NZ rugby is now mirroring exactly what has gone wrong in Australia over the past 10-12 years. It’s tribal, it lacks context, it’s overly emotive, and obsessed with domestic allegiances. This kind of sentiment around Robertson is part of the problem
The tribal stuff....seems to me went back to the Hart era if not not longer.
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@Dan54 said in Scott Robertson:
I thought the English test worried me more , we looked lost whole test.
Yep, I actually stopped watching that game when we were 12 in front. Had already seen enough.
@mohikamo said in Scott Robertson:
@Dan54 said in Scott Robertson:
I thought the English test worried me more , we looked lost whole test.
Yep, I actually stopped watching that game when we were 12 in front. Had already seen enough.
That's the point when I learn the most about our team's weaknesses.
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Razor's tenure reminds me a lot of Ewen McKenzie's with the Wallabies. McKenzie diverted away from what he'd done so well with the Reds which meant he lost the support of many of those Reds players. The rest then fell like dominos and then everything collapsed towards the end.
@Mr-Fish said in Scott Robertson:
Razor's tenure reminds me a lot of Ewen McKenzie's with the Wallabies. McKenzie diverted away from what he'd done so well with the Reds which meant he lost the support of many of those Reds players. The rest then fell like dominos and then everything collapsed towards the end.
I'm still a bit confused about what happened there. Was reading his and Eddie's analysis of the last French game, and I thought Ewen was more incisive.
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Seems to me there's something rotten at the assistant coach level. I'd also be very surprised if having the Mo at 10 would have helped us play that much better. General skills has deteriorated in the backline, our wingers aren't well-used, midfield is open, and the best loosies combo is anyone's guess.
I do wonder if Barrett's relatively shy performance as captain led to some team disruption.@nostrildamus i think the key with Mounga is he was a pivotal player who knew what Razor wanted (at least in Razors mind) needed and fitted his culture, so I expect thats why he was so desperate for him.
Maybe he simply was unable to communicate effectively with BB and Dmac, which is why we saw such erratic play from BB and so little starts for Dmac.
Our pack regressed under Razor, Jordie regressed after looking sharp at Leinster and initially when he returned but the longer he was back the lesser player he looked.
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I think the point has been proved with Razor. He was by far the popular choice by NZ public from what I read. And certainly in almost every rugby forum I read.
Wonder what that may hint at?@Dan54 said in Scott Robertson:
I think the point has been proved with Razor. He was by far the popular choice by NZ public from what I read. And certainly in almost every rugby forum I read.
Wonder what that may hint at?I'm not sure it is black and white though. The early Foster era pre Schmidt and Ryan was not flash. If Foster could have those two from the start I don't know if Razor would have been such a popular choice. That game where Schmidt took over because Foster and Co were sick was a revelation to me. They suddenly looked a well-trained team. I'm not sure Schmidt's coaching has a long shelf-life (beyond 2-4 years, Ireland began to look predictable) but his work in getting teams off the floor looks pretty good to me. It's a shame I won't see what he would have picked and abandoned if he had taken over.
But there is some revision going on in this thread. I could not find In Razor We Trust posts declaring him a Super Coach who would solve everything (Surf Jesus was clearly a joke). Sure there may have been some. But many people thought the (early) Foster era was not good enough and Foster's coaching record was not that great. There were other options apart from Razor then... There are posters on here who created a straw man follower argument and it's pretty tiring.
Hats off to Sammy C in a 2018 post who reckoned Foster would be appointed but might not be a "raging success."
