Robertson Departs As All Blacks Coach
New Zealand Rugby has confirmed the departure of All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson just two years into his four-year contract.
This follows the completion of the 2025 end-of-season review, headed by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chairman David Kirk.
It was decided that a parting of the ways would be best, as New Zealand Rugby looks forward to the 2027 Rugby World Cup less than two years away.
Kirk said that the time for change was right as the World Cup remained a key goal.
“The mid-point in the Rugby World Cup cycle is the right time to look at the All Blacks’ progress over the first two seasons,” Kirk said.
“We’ve taken an extensive look at the team’s progress on and off the field and have subsequently had discussions with Scott on the way forward. Both NZR and Scott agree it is in the best interests of the team that he departs his role as head coach.”
The former Crusaders coach, who led the Canterbury-based club to seven Super Rugby titles and took over from Ian Foster after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, struggled to replicate his success with the All Blacks.
Despite leaving with a 74 percent win rate, the All Blacks suffered some humiliating defeats under his tenure. His first loss came at the hands of the Pumas 38-30 in Wellington, and they suffered their first-ever defeat in Argentina by 29-23 on 23 August 2025.
Three losses out of four were suffered against the old foe South Africa, including a record 43-10 massacre in Wellington in the Rugby Championship.
England also scored 25 unanswered second-half points for a 33-19 victory to conclude the All Blacks end of year tour of Europe.
Kirk took time to also acknowledge Robertson’s contribution to the All Blacks before wishing him well for the future.
“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, I would like to thank Scott for his contribution to the All Blacks. As always, he has continued to put the All Blacks first, and we respect that he has done the hard but right thing in agreeing to depart.”
“We wish him well for the future.”
NZR will now commence the All Blacks’ head coach recruitment process immediately and will provide an update in the coming days with names such as Jamie Joseph, Pat Lam, and Joe Schmidt among possible successors.
