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All Blacks part ways with Robertson after underwhelming era
New Zealand Rugby terminated Scott Robertson's tenure as head coach on Thursday, citing the team's failure to reclaim its status as the undisputed leader of world rugby. Despite a 74% win rate, the All Blacks' recent defeats to Argentina, England, and South Africa exposed vulnerabilities in a once-invincible squad.
Record remains strong but expectations unmet
Under Robertson, the All Blacks won 20 of 27 Test matches, a statistic no Northern Hemisphere team-including Ireland or England-has matched during the same period. Ranked second globally, they narrowly lost the 2023 Rugby World Cup final while playing with 14 men for nearly an hour. Yet, the team's inability to dominate consistently fell short of the All Blacks' historic standard, prompting the decision.
Chastening losses signal decline
Three defeats in 2025 underscored the shift in rugby's power dynamics. Argentina secured its first-ever home victory over New Zealand in August, while England cruised to a win at Twickenham in November. The most humiliating setback came in September, when South Africa crushed the All Blacks 43-10 in Wellington. The Springboks now hold the mantle of the sport's premier team, a title New Zealand claimed during its back-to-back World Cup triumphs a decade ago.
Structural challenges erode competitive edge
New Zealand's traditional advantages-cultural passion for rugby, fierce domestic competition, and a coaching legacy-have weakened. Super Rugby's expansion diluted its quality, and South Africa's departure for European competitions in 2020 left Kiwi teams facing weaker Australian opponents. Financial pressures have driven top players like Richie Mo'unga to lucrative contracts in Japan, while the All Blacks' policy of selecting only domestically contracted players has deprived the team of its stars.
Talent pipeline dries up
Once a reliable source of elite players, New Zealand's under-20 program has faltered. After winning four of the first five World Cups (2008-2011), the team has reached just one final in the past five tournaments, losing to South Africa in 2025. Meanwhile, Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) is poised to expand into New Zealand, further siphoning talent from the 15-man code.
Off-field distractions and financial strain
The All Blacks' mystique has been tested by commercial pressures. A controversial 2022 deal with U.S. private equity firm Silver Lake and a public dispute with sponsor Ineos over unmet obligations have overshadowed on-field performance. High-profile incidents involving players have also challenged the team's strict disciplinary culture, while lucrative matches in emerging markets prioritize revenue over fan engagement.
Road ahead fraught with challenges
Robertson's successor inherits a squad brimming with talent-Cam Roigard, Wallace Sititi, and Will Jordan among them-but faces a daunting 2026 schedule. A four-Test series in South Africa will serve as a brutal benchmark for the team's progress. With the next World Cup just 20 months away, the new coach must address deeper issues to restore New Zealand's supremacy.
"The All Blacks must be the best. That's the expectation, and we haven't met it," a New Zealand Rugby spokesperson said.
