Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson will be coaching the Barbarians against the New Zealand rugby union squad that wanted to coach him two years ago.
Robertson will coach the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 13, along with his former Crusaders assistant Ronan O’Gara, the Daily Mail reported.
The Crusaders supercoach, who was controversially overlooked for the All Blacks top job in 2019 to replace Steve Hansen, may have been able to coach the All Blacks XV as he was offered the job by NZR two years ago.
Unsurprisingly, Robertson was NZR’s best option, but had to consider whether coaching an “All Blacks B” team was the right path to his ultimate goal: coaching international rugby at the highest level.
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The Barbarians’ coaching team has not yet been announced, but the Daily Mail said O’Gara and Robertson – who joined the Crusaders from 2018-19 – have agreed to work together.
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Former Crusaders assistant Ronan O’Gara, left, will team up in November with Scott Robertson to coach the Barbarians against the All Blacks XV.
Robertson led the Crusaders to their sixth title in as many years under his watch as the Reds-and-Blacks dismantled the Blues 21-7 in the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific final at Eden Park last month.
The Barbarians-invited side will face an All Blacks XV in November’s Killik Cup, which could include some of Robertson’s all-conquering Crusaders squad. The Killik Cup is awarded to the winners of matches between the Barbarians and national teams.
Under Robertson’s tutelage, the Crusaders captured a hat-trick of 2017-19 Super Rugby titles, followed by back-to-back Aotearoa crowns in ’20 and ’21, and now the Pacific trophy.
The All Blacks XV embark on a three-week worldwide tour spanning North America, the UK and Europe. They will play against Canada on October 29 with two more matches to be confirmed against a national team from a developing rugby country and a second XV team from a Tier 1 rugby country.
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Head Coach Scott Robertson and Assistant Ronan O’Gara share a moment ahead of the 2019 Super Rugby final against the Jaguares in Christchurch.
The All Blacks XV follow in the footsteps of similar teams that have gathered in New Zealand history, including the Junior All Blacks, New Zealand A and Emerging Players.
Barbarians president John Spencer said the clash against the All Blacks XV would be hotly contested.
“We are absolutely delighted to announce that we will be meeting the All Blacks XV in the Killik Cup this fall.
“Playing at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will also give our spectators a truly exceptional experience.
“While this state-of-the-art stadium has hosted club rugby matches in the past, including the Premiership’s Saracens against Bristol Bears, this is the first time it has hosted an international rugby match.”