NZ’s All Blacks are looking for a new head coach after incumbent Scott Robertson chose to step down.
His departure was confirmed in a statement released by New Zealand Rugby (NZR) today (January 15).
It said Robertson chose to step down after a 2025 end-of-season review after the All Blacks had won 10 out of 13 Test matches.
NZR chairman David Kirk says, “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”.
He pointed out that their 2026 Test season is “significant”: New Zealand will host France, Italy and Ireland in July as part of the inaugural global Nations Championship and they also head to South Africa for a four-Test series as well as the Bledisloe Cup series with Australia.
“We’ve taken an extensive look at the team’s progress on and off the field and subsequently had discussions with Scott on the way forward,” Kirk, a former All Black World Cup winning captain, says.
“Both NZR and Scott agree it is in the best interests of the team that he depart his role as head coach.”
Kirk thanked Robertson for his work with the team.
“As always, he continued to put the All Blacks first; we respect that he has done the hard but right thing in agreeing to depart,” he says.
“As you can imagine, I am gutted by this outcome. I care deeply about this team.”
Scott Robertson
ALL BLACKS UNDER ROBERTSON
Robertson leaves after two years in the job and 20 months out from the next World Cup in Australia.
The former Canterbury Crusaders coach was the most successful coach in the Super Rugby competition with seven titles but has since struggled to repeat that success at the national level.
He assumed the role after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when NZ finished second to South Africa.
In a statement that was carried by Rugby Australia on its website (rugby.com.au), Robertson says the role was “the honour of my life”.
“I am incredibly proud of what this team achieved and of the progress we made,” he says.
“We have brought through a talented group of young players, strengthened the depth across the squad, and set solid foundations for the years ahead,” he says.
“Following the end of year review I have taken time to reflect on some of the feedback,” Robertson says.
“My priority has always been the success of the All Blacks and, after discussions with New Zealand Rugby, I believe it is in the best interests of the team for me to step aside.”
He says his departure now will allow a new coaching group to prepare the team.
“As you can imagine, I am gutted by this outcome. I care deeply about this team,” he says.
New Zealand finished second in this year’s Rugby Championship behind South Africa and lost to England, France and Argentina; the manner of those defeats, and the team’s performance, fuelled criticism of Robertson.
Former Japan Test coach and player Jamie Joseph has been named as a likely successor on social media.
OTHER RUGBY NEWS: 2026 Rugby Championship put on ice.
