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All Blacks 2025

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  • JetJ Offline
    JetJ Offline
    Jet
    wrote on last edited by Jet
    #6491

    I think the coaching at international level argument is valid but not particularly applicable to Razor in this instance.
    He is getting plenty wrong at the selection table before he even coaches them.

    He got his coaching team wrong too by virtue of the fact Leon left so early into his tenure.

    Before we even talk about tactics, has he picked the right assistants and has he picked the right captain and players?

    I’d say it’s a clear and resounding no, before a ball has been kicked in the training paddock.

    I can’t think of any turds he has polished either.

    Nobody has improved under him.

    1 Reply Last reply
    2
    • ShaquilleOatmealS ShaquilleOatmeal

      @brodean said in All Blacks 2025:

      @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

      I don’t think there’s any question that Robertson was the right appointment. NZR handled the process poorly, however. Ideally, Robertson should have been surrounded by other top-level coaches, not just his mates. And while he deserved the job, that doesn’t guarantee he’s up to it. He still has time to turn things around, but at this stage it looks far from promising.

      I think Joe Schmidt would have been a better option. Presumably he was available as a head coach of an international side given he has been the head coach of an international side since 2024.

      Probably he could have made it work since half the games are in NZ.

      My recollection is that Schmidt signalled limited interest in the top job at the time. He was appointed Wallabies head coach nine months after Robertson was given the All Blacks job.

      B Offline
      B Offline
      brodean
      wrote on last edited by
      #6492

      @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

      @brodean said in All Blacks 2025:

      @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

      I don’t think there’s any question that Robertson was the right appointment. NZR handled the process poorly, however. Ideally, Robertson should have been surrounded by other top-level coaches, not just his mates. And while he deserved the job, that doesn’t guarantee he’s up to it. He still has time to turn things around, but at this stage it looks far from promising.

      I think Joe Schmidt would have been a better option. Presumably he was available as a head coach of an international side given he has been the head coach of an international side since 2024.

      Probably he could have made it work since half the games are in NZ.

      My recollection is that Schmidt signalled limited interest in the top job at the time. He was appointed Wallabies head coach nine months after Robertson was given the All Blacks job.

      As Dan mentioned he didn't want to work with Razor who was basically guaranteed the job as head coach.

      taniwharugbyT canefanC 2 Replies Last reply
      0
      • KiwiMurphK Offline
        KiwiMurphK Offline
        KiwiMurph
        wrote on last edited by
        #6493

        I think with Razor it's just as much as lack of diverse coaching experience as being the problem.

        He's coached Canterbury and the Crusaders.

        His coaching network is small - and even some of those he has had a falling out with (Leon MacDonald).

        Therefore you end up with a weak coaching staff.

        Foster had a similar issue in his tenure but was luckily able to pivot to Ryan and Schmidt.

        Based on the evidence I question how much goodwill Razor has in coaching circles.

        nonpartizanN antipodeanA 2 Replies Last reply
        3
        • R Offline
          R Offline
          reprobate
          wrote on last edited by
          #6494

          Not sure if this has already been posted, but a couple of quotes from Holland in the Herald article by Superman:

          Among the areas highlighted by the review, Holland said that how the side were using possession needed to be addressed.
          “There’s a couple of things we’re working away at. I touched on our possession and what we’re doing with our ball. There’s times, especially in the South African game and it has happened earlier on, where we give the ball back to the opposition when we don’t need to,” the coach said.
          “Whether it’s a kick too often or whether that’s losing the battle in the air, as we know, there are a couple of key things that we feel the pressure is released from the opposition and we feel like that’s where we can really go hard on things.”

          Well, fuck me, come on down Sherlock Holmes. They are promising comments at least, but I'll believe it when I see it.

          JetJ 1 Reply Last reply
          9
          • B brodean

            @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

            @brodean said in All Blacks 2025:

            @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

            I don’t think there’s any question that Robertson was the right appointment. NZR handled the process poorly, however. Ideally, Robertson should have been surrounded by other top-level coaches, not just his mates. And while he deserved the job, that doesn’t guarantee he’s up to it. He still has time to turn things around, but at this stage it looks far from promising.

            I think Joe Schmidt would have been a better option. Presumably he was available as a head coach of an international side given he has been the head coach of an international side since 2024.

            Probably he could have made it work since half the games are in NZ.

            My recollection is that Schmidt signalled limited interest in the top job at the time. He was appointed Wallabies head coach nine months after Robertson was given the All Blacks job.

            As Dan mentioned he didn't want to work with Razor who was basically guaranteed the job as head coach.

            taniwharugbyT Offline
            taniwharugbyT Offline
            taniwharugby
            wrote on last edited by taniwharugby
            #6495

            @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

            I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

            What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

            JetJ ShaquilleOatmealS 2 Replies Last reply
            2
            • R reprobate

              Not sure if this has already been posted, but a couple of quotes from Holland in the Herald article by Superman:

              Among the areas highlighted by the review, Holland said that how the side were using possession needed to be addressed.
              “There’s a couple of things we’re working away at. I touched on our possession and what we’re doing with our ball. There’s times, especially in the South African game and it has happened earlier on, where we give the ball back to the opposition when we don’t need to,” the coach said.
              “Whether it’s a kick too often or whether that’s losing the battle in the air, as we know, there are a couple of key things that we feel the pressure is released from the opposition and we feel like that’s where we can really go hard on things.”

              Well, fuck me, come on down Sherlock Holmes. They are promising comments at least, but I'll believe it when I see it.

              JetJ Offline
              JetJ Offline
              Jet
              wrote on last edited by
              #6496

              @reprobate said in All Blacks 2025:

              Not sure if this has already been posted, but a couple of quotes from Holland in the Herald article by Superman:

              Among the areas highlighted by the review, Holland said that how the side were using possession needed to be addressed.
              “There’s a couple of things we’re working away at. I touched on our possession and what we’re doing with our ball. There’s times, especially in the South African game and it has happened earlier on, where we give the ball back to the opposition when we don’t need to,” the coach said.
              “Whether it’s a kick too often or whether that’s losing the battle in the air, as we know, there are a couple of key things that we feel the pressure is released from the opposition and we feel like that’s where we can really go hard on things.”

              Well, fuck me, come on down Sherlock Holmes. They are promising comments at least, but I'll believe it when I see it.

              I could have told them that 10 tests ago after 8 pints.

              1 Reply Last reply
              7
              • taniwharugbyT taniwharugby

                @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

                I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

                What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

                JetJ Offline
                JetJ Offline
                Jet
                wrote on last edited by
                #6497

                @taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:

                @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

                I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

                What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

                He definitely deserved the gig, he was the outstanding candidate at the time (Schmidts familial issues in mind) but he also now deserves to be fired.

                Thats the issue.

                1 Reply Last reply
                3
                • KiwiMurphK KiwiMurph

                  I think with Razor it's just as much as lack of diverse coaching experience as being the problem.

                  He's coached Canterbury and the Crusaders.

                  His coaching network is small - and even some of those he has had a falling out with (Leon MacDonald).

                  Therefore you end up with a weak coaching staff.

                  Foster had a similar issue in his tenure but was luckily able to pivot to Ryan and Schmidt.

                  Based on the evidence I question how much goodwill Razor has in coaching circles.

                  nonpartizanN Offline
                  nonpartizanN Offline
                  nonpartizan
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #6498

                  @KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:

                  I think with Razor it's just as much as lack of diverse coaching experience as being the problem.

                  He's coached Canterbury and the Crusaders.

                  His coaching network is small - and even some of those he has had a falling out with (Leon MacDonald).

                  Therefore you end up with a weak coaching staff.

                  Foster had a similar issue in his tenure but was luckily able to pivot to Ryan and Schmidt.

                  Based on the evidence I question how much goodwill Razor has in coaching circles.

                  Yeah, he never did it outside of one particular city/province who also were the teams he played for.

                  Also, a guy like Steve Hansen has tons of life experience outside of rugby what with working in the meat industry and being in the police force, has Razor got much life experience out of the confines of professional rugby?..

                  He just seems like a one dimensional.candidate and does not have a broad array of professional and management experience to draw from.

                  MN5M 1 Reply Last reply
                  2
                  • taniwharugbyT taniwharugby

                    @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

                    I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

                    What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

                    ShaquilleOatmealS Offline
                    ShaquilleOatmealS Offline
                    ShaquilleOatmeal
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #6499

                    @taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:

                    @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

                    I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

                    What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

                    Given that, and this goal of his to win two World Cups with different teams, I would have expected him to be significantly less conservative in his approach and less afraid of losing in his first two years. He also could have used the goal of winning the World Cup to buy himself some forgiveness when things didn't go so well.

                    nonpartizanN juniorJ 2 Replies Last reply
                    1
                    • B brodean

                      @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

                      @brodean said in All Blacks 2025:

                      @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

                      I don’t think there’s any question that Robertson was the right appointment. NZR handled the process poorly, however. Ideally, Robertson should have been surrounded by other top-level coaches, not just his mates. And while he deserved the job, that doesn’t guarantee he’s up to it. He still has time to turn things around, but at this stage it looks far from promising.

                      I think Joe Schmidt would have been a better option. Presumably he was available as a head coach of an international side given he has been the head coach of an international side since 2024.

                      Probably he could have made it work since half the games are in NZ.

                      My recollection is that Schmidt signalled limited interest in the top job at the time. He was appointed Wallabies head coach nine months after Robertson was given the All Blacks job.

                      As Dan mentioned he didn't want to work with Razor who was basically guaranteed the job as head coach.

                      canefanC Offline
                      canefanC Offline
                      canefan
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #6500

                      @brodean said in All Blacks 2025:

                      @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

                      @brodean said in All Blacks 2025:

                      @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

                      I don’t think there’s any question that Robertson was the right appointment. NZR handled the process poorly, however. Ideally, Robertson should have been surrounded by other top-level coaches, not just his mates. And while he deserved the job, that doesn’t guarantee he’s up to it. He still has time to turn things around, but at this stage it looks far from promising.

                      I think Joe Schmidt would have been a better option. Presumably he was available as a head coach of an international side given he has been the head coach of an international side since 2024.

                      Probably he could have made it work since half the games are in NZ.

                      My recollection is that Schmidt signalled limited interest in the top job at the time. He was appointed Wallabies head coach nine months after Robertson was given the All Blacks job.

                      As Dan mentioned he didn't want to work with Razor who was basically guaranteed the job as head coach.

                      He was pissed at how the board treated Fozz wasn't he?

                      1 Reply Last reply
                      3
                      • nonpartizanN nonpartizan

                        @KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:

                        I think with Razor it's just as much as lack of diverse coaching experience as being the problem.

                        He's coached Canterbury and the Crusaders.

                        His coaching network is small - and even some of those he has had a falling out with (Leon MacDonald).

                        Therefore you end up with a weak coaching staff.

                        Foster had a similar issue in his tenure but was luckily able to pivot to Ryan and Schmidt.

                        Based on the evidence I question how much goodwill Razor has in coaching circles.

                        Yeah, he never did it outside of one particular city/province who also were the teams he played for.

                        Also, a guy like Steve Hansen has tons of life experience outside of rugby what with working in the meat industry and being in the police force, has Razor got much life experience out of the confines of professional rugby?..

                        He just seems like a one dimensional.candidate and does not have a broad array of professional and management experience to draw from.

                        MN5M Online
                        MN5M Online
                        MN5
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #6501

                        @nonpartizan said in All Blacks 2025:

                        @KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:

                        I think with Razor it's just as much as lack of diverse coaching experience as being the problem.

                        He's coached Canterbury and the Crusaders.

                        His coaching network is small - and even some of those he has had a falling out with (Leon MacDonald).

                        Therefore you end up with a weak coaching staff.

                        Foster had a similar issue in his tenure but was luckily able to pivot to Ryan and Schmidt.

                        Based on the evidence I question how much goodwill Razor has in coaching circles.

                        Yeah, he never did it outside of one particular city/province who also were the teams he played for.

                        > Also, a guy like Steve Hansen has tons of life experience outside of rugby what with working in the meat industry and being in the police force, has Razor got much life experience out of the confines of professional rugby?..

                        He just seems like a one dimensional.candidate and does not have a broad array of professional and management experience to draw from.

                        That is becoming less and less of a factor as coaches get younger. Razor has probably done nothing but get paid to play and then coach Rugby.

                        1 Reply Last reply
                        1
                        • ShaquilleOatmealS ShaquilleOatmeal

                          @taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:

                          @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

                          I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

                          What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

                          Given that, and this goal of his to win two World Cups with different teams, I would have expected him to be significantly less conservative in his approach and less afraid of losing in his first two years. He also could have used the goal of winning the World Cup to buy himself some forgiveness when things didn't go so well.

                          nonpartizanN Offline
                          nonpartizanN Offline
                          nonpartizan
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #6502

                          @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

                          @taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:

                          @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

                          I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

                          What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

                          Given that, and this goal of his to win two World Cups with different teams, I would have expected him to be significantly less conservative in his approach and less afraid of losing in his first two years. He also could have used the goal of winning the World Cup to buy himself some forgiveness when things didn't go so well.

                          Exactly. There has been at least one storied All Black.side in every decade since the 60s - from the 67 team, 78, 87, 96, 05 and 13.

                          As of right now there has not been one in the 20s and the work.that needed to be done in 24 and 25 was to lay a foundation for a shot at the world cup in 27 and the Lions in 29.. it feels like an awful lot of time has been wasted these first two years with little to.show for it.

                          Razor needed to sell people on the idea that the first two years would be difficult and maybe not a lot of wins would be secured but that his long term vision of building a team to win the world cup was the ultimate focus. Fear of losing + conservative selections have seen almost two years wasted.

                          JetJ ACT CrusaderA 2 Replies Last reply
                          0
                          • nonpartizanN nonpartizan

                            @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

                            @taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:

                            @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

                            I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

                            What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

                            Given that, and this goal of his to win two World Cups with different teams, I would have expected him to be significantly less conservative in his approach and less afraid of losing in his first two years. He also could have used the goal of winning the World Cup to buy himself some forgiveness when things didn't go so well.

                            Exactly. There has been at least one storied All Black.side in every decade since the 60s - from the 67 team, 78, 87, 96, 05 and 13.

                            As of right now there has not been one in the 20s and the work.that needed to be done in 24 and 25 was to lay a foundation for a shot at the world cup in 27 and the Lions in 29.. it feels like an awful lot of time has been wasted these first two years with little to.show for it.

                            Razor needed to sell people on the idea that the first two years would be difficult and maybe not a lot of wins would be secured but that his long term vision of building a team to win the world cup was the ultimate focus. Fear of losing + conservative selections have seen almost two years wasted.

                            JetJ Offline
                            JetJ Offline
                            Jet
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #6503

                            @nonpartizan said in All Blacks 2025:

                            @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

                            @taniwharugby said in All Blacks 2025:

                            @brodean and I think that was also addressed earlier, the process was a big part of the problem with several potential candidates either not applying or ruling themselves out as they felt the decision had already been made.

                            I have no issues with Razor getting the job, if he was an amazing regional manager applying for the national manger job in a business, I doubt they tell him to go work for the opposition for a while and then come back when another role opens up in 2-4 years depending on their success.

                            What is an issue, is NZR have given him the full 4 years, one woudl hope this included a review after 18 months, 2 years or so, with an option to terminate if performance was not up to scratch, but despite having the opportunity to learn from those sort of mistakes they made with Foster, I expect the contract he has is 4 years come what may.

                            Given that, and this goal of his to win two World Cups with different teams, I would have expected him to be significantly less conservative in his approach and less afraid of losing in his first two years. He also could have used the goal of winning the World Cup to buy himself some forgiveness when things didn't go so well.

                            Exactly. There has been at least one storied All Black.side in every decade since the 60s - from the 67 team, 78, 87, 96, 05 and 13.

                            As of right now there has not been one in the 20s and the work.that needed to be done in 24 and 25 was to lay a foundation for a shot at the world cup in 27 and the Lions in 29.. it feels like an awful lot of time has been wasted these first two years with little to.show for it.

                            Razor needed to sell people on the idea that the first two years would be difficult and maybe not a lot of wins would be secured but that his long term vision of building a team to win the world cup was the ultimate focus. Fear of losing + conservative selections have seen almost two years wasted.

                            100%

                            The selections of Cane and TJP were completely unnecessary.

                            Cane is a hero and game as fuck. Nothing but respect for the guy.

                            But there was no need for him to be there.

                            Your Lakai’s, Papalii’s, Sotutu’s of the world should have more caps at this stage.

                            Not to mention the fly half debacle.

                            Lose a few tests in year one with Ruben Love at 10 and Lakai at 7 and you might get a pass.

                            Losing with the same old shower of chancers as the last bloke….not acceptable.

                            1 Reply Last reply
                            6
                            • R Offline
                              R Offline
                              reprobate
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #6504

                              @Jet It's the same problem as Foster had in some ways - too loyal to the players to drop them. Rieko shouldn't be shuffled to the wing, if he's not your centre he should be dropped and asked to play a couple of games at wing at a lower level to show he still can.
                              BB should be gone. Best case I think we see him shuffled to fullback.
                              TJP and Cane as you say.
                              With Foster I'd speculate it was personal loyalty, because he knew them all so well. With Robertson, perhaps there's some sort of culture which he is trying to create, because he has actually ditched guys he knew in Blackadder and Havili, while retaining past-it but long-term ABs for swansong type shit. If so I think that's a terrible mistake, because it needs to be first and foremost and above everything else, performance-based.

                              1 Reply Last reply
                              4
                              • KiwiMurphK KiwiMurph

                                I think with Razor it's just as much as lack of diverse coaching experience as being the problem.

                                He's coached Canterbury and the Crusaders.

                                His coaching network is small - and even some of those he has had a falling out with (Leon MacDonald).

                                Therefore you end up with a weak coaching staff.

                                Foster had a similar issue in his tenure but was luckily able to pivot to Ryan and Schmidt.

                                Based on the evidence I question how much goodwill Razor has in coaching circles.

                                antipodeanA Offline
                                antipodeanA Offline
                                antipodean
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #6505

                                @KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:

                                I think with Razor it's just as much as lack of diverse coaching experience as being the problem.

                                He's coached Canterbury and the Crusaders.

                                His coaching network is small - and even some of those he has had a falling out with (Leon MacDonald).

                                Therefore you end up with a weak coaching staff.

                                Foster had a similar issue in his tenure but was luckily able to pivot to Ryan and Schmidt.

                                Based on the evidence I question how much goodwill Razor has in coaching circles.

                                I think the big difference is we all know the original coaching group assembled by Foster wasn't the one he wanted, it was the one he could get.

                                Apart from Leon walking out the door, is this the group Razor wanted? Because a bunch of them look as out of their depth as Foster's originals.

                                nzzpN canefanC 2 Replies Last reply
                                6
                                • antipodeanA antipodean

                                  @KiwiMurph said in All Blacks 2025:

                                  I think with Razor it's just as much as lack of diverse coaching experience as being the problem.

                                  He's coached Canterbury and the Crusaders.

                                  His coaching network is small - and even some of those he has had a falling out with (Leon MacDonald).

                                  Therefore you end up with a weak coaching staff.

                                  Foster had a similar issue in his tenure but was luckily able to pivot to Ryan and Schmidt.

                                  Based on the evidence I question how much goodwill Razor has in coaching circles.

                                  I think the big difference is we all know the original coaching group assembled by Foster wasn't the one he wanted, it was the one he could get.

                                  Apart from Leon walking out the door, is this the group Razor wanted? Because a bunch of them look as out of their depth as Foster's originals.

                                  nzzpN Offline
                                  nzzpN Offline
                                  nzzp
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #6506

                                  @antipodean said in All Blacks 2025:

                                  Foster's originals

                                  there's another T shirt 😄

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                                  • ShaquilleOatmealS ShaquilleOatmeal

                                    I don’t think there’s any question that Robertson was the right appointment. NZR handled the process poorly, however. Ideally, Robertson should have been surrounded by other top-level coaches, not just his mates. And while he deserved the job, that doesn’t guarantee he’s up to it. He still has time to turn things around, but at this stage it looks far from promising.

                                    No QuarterN Offline
                                    No QuarterN Offline
                                    No Quarter
                                    wrote on last edited by No Quarter
                                    #6507

                                    @ShaquilleOatmeal said in All Blacks 2025:

                                    I don’t think there’s any question that Robertson was the right appointment. NZR handled the process poorly, however. Ideally, Robertson should have been surrounded by other top-level coaches, not just his mates. And while he deserved the job, that doesn’t guarantee he’s up to it. He still has time to turn things around, but at this stage it looks far from promising.

                                    This seemed to be the problem for Fozzie as well, who got stuck with dud assistants. The problem is made even worse under Razor given he seems to be very much a vibes guy rather than a technically good coach.

                                    The process for appointing both Fozzie and Razor was an absolute shit show that left us with poor coaching groups - I think the biggest problems with the ABs right now is that NZR can't come up with a process for appointing a new coaching group that maximises the talent we have. Surely they'd get all the best coaches in a room together and tell them to make it work given this is our national side? And that a bit of disagreement is actually a good thing in a professional environment? We get limited say in the colleagues we work with in our jobs, we just make it work. Perhaps NZR err on the side of just picking who they think is best, short of two blokes wanting to kill each other, instead of making candidates try and lock in their "team" ahead of time.

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                                    • R reprobate

                                      @Victor-Meldrew said in All Blacks 2025:

                                      @frugby said in All Blacks 2025:

                                      I still believe Robertson is a very good head coach - his issue may be that some of his assistant aren't quite up to scratch at this level.

                                      You don't have the success he has had and it be a total fluke.

                                      Maybe he's just not good enough at Test level? A bit like George Bridge - he was successful for the Crusaders too.

                                      I agree with Henry and Hansen - NZR should have insisted he was tested at International level before being given the job. But we are where we are.

                                      I am a long way from being a Robertson supporter, that should be pretty clear.
                                      But it's not comparable to George Bridge, who was a good winger benefitting from playing in the best team. If anyone it's more Reuben Thorne - the guy leading the best team to the best results - but even then it's quite different in that player performances are highly visible to the public, whereas coaching is pretty much completely opaque other than final results.
                                      By international experience, what do you mean? Coaching a national side, or coaching a club/provincial side in another country? If a national side, clearly you think Brazil doesn't count - where is the line? And do you mean as a head coach, or as an assistant coach? Robertson also played in both Japan and France, so he has some experience in other environments.
                                      Any which way, I find it dogmatic. There are definitely aspects of test rugby in terms of prep time and tournament play vs prepping for a long season that are different, but these things are never black and white. Nobody has ever done something until they have.

                                      If he's not good enough and our results are shit, I'm all for sacking him - I can't understand some of his selections, his tactics, half the sentences that come out of his mouth are nonsense or contradictory - but I don't want to see his failures being put down to some arbitrary missing requirement for international experience, whatever that means, which can then be used to rule out our next good candidate.

                                      O Away
                                      O Away
                                      Old Alleynians
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #6508

                                      @reprobate
                                      Then what do you put it down to? An honest question. Lack of international club/country just seems to be one of a few suggestions being floated.

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                                      • nostrildamusN Offline
                                        nostrildamusN Offline
                                        nostrildamus
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #6509

                                        on the other side of the draw, there just aren't enough challenging head and assistant coaching jobs in NZ that pay well enough to stop the coaching drain: SA, Ireland, England, Japan, Australia ... they can't all easily come back and apply once they've gone and most of them have improved our rivals (arguably).

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                                        • No QuarterN Offline
                                          No QuarterN Offline
                                          No Quarter
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #6510

                                          There would have been huge value in Razor coaching up North to learn their systems etc, and put his coaching talents to the test outside of the cozy Crusaderland. Whether that's an international team or club, either would have benefited him a lot I think.

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