All Black legend Jeff Wilson has come out strongly against current Crusaders head coach Scott “Razor” Robertson.
Speaking as host on the highly popular “The Breakdown” show, Wilson blasted Robertson’s latest interview where he stated his international ambitions.
Currently under the most pressure since their shock 2007 World Cup quarterfinal exit. The All Blacks are on their way to South Africa for a two-test series.
Head coach Ian Foster in particular is under immense scrutiny with Robertson being the betting favourite to take over should things go sideways in the Republic.
In a wide-ranging interview, Robertson pointed out that he would be open to offers from rival nations.
Speaking to Rugbypass’s Jim Hamilton, Razor said "If there is another country - I wouldn't go to a club now - I really want to go to Rugby World Cup. I genuinely want to go to a couple. It's one job [All Blacks coach] and when someone doesn't give it to you, you have to think differently about what opportunities are out there.”
Going further Robertson highlighted why he felt now was the opportune time to take the next step.
"I'm 47, I'll be 52 by the time of the next Rugby World Cup... I want to go to two or three and test myself, push myself. I am open [to offers], yeah."
"It would be great to win a World Cup with your own country, which I want to do. That is the foremost thing," he added.
"But I would love to do it with another country. I'm not sure what order it is. I'm not sure how that plays out, those decisions are not mine. I would love to win two and have a different expectation, different culture.
"You have got to adapt to the country that you are coaching and get the best out of them. It's when someone goes 'how did he do that'? That is pretty special."
Clearly Wilson took exception to these points “The trouble is that Scott Robertson has come out and said he wants to win two Rugby World Cups with two different teams, he wants to get the opportunity to coach at the international level,”
Going deeper on the subject Wilson highlighted that Robertson is currently contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union.
“It is interesting he said that when he is actually under contract with New Zealand Rugby. I find that difficult.”
Robertson who was recently appointed Barbarians coach for their upcoming fixture with the All Blacks will be hooking up with his former assistant and current La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara.
Once again Wilson took exception to this move as he questioned Robertson’s loyalty to New Zealand Rugby.
“The fact that he is going to coach the Barbarians ... I think he had the opportunity to coach the All Blacks XV, he turned that down.
“So, we know exactly where Scott Robertson sits right now. His expectations are that he wants to go to the next level.
“But they [the All Blacks] have a job to do and I think this has put, in some ways, New Zealand Rugby in a really difficult situation.
“Where does Ian Foster sit right now? He knows that he has got two test matches to deliver.”
Firing back at Wilson, former All Black fullback Mils Muliaina said that Robertson should be allowed to express himself and plot his own career. Wilson clearly took exception to this point.
“Does this help the situation, though, him doing that interview when the All Blacks are under all sorts of pressure? Does this conversation help New Zealand Rugby, him coming out and saying this?” Wilson said.
One thing the two men did agree on though was that the outcome of their upcoming fixtures against the world champions is crucial.
“I think if they split two, I think if they win one over there, and perform, it will give him an opportunity to come up against ... Argentina, who we can beat, Australia, we’ve had their number ... then you can build some momentum,” Wilson said.
“But the future is right in these two test matches [in South Africa]. If he lost both, it would be really hard, really difficult.”
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