<p>The unthinkable has happened in New Zealand rugby. Scott Robertson, the man who was supposed to restore the All Blacks to glory, has been unceremoniously sacked just two years into his four-year contract, sending shockwaves through the rugby world and plunging New Zealand's most treasured sporting institution into turmoil.</p> <p>Robertson, 51, who coached the Canterbury Crusaders to an unprecedented seven Super Rugby titles, was supposed to be rugby's chosen one. Instead, he's become the latest casualty in New Zealand's increasingly desperate attempts to maintain dominance in a sport they've historically owned. The governing body announced his departure on Thursday following what they described as an "extensive review" of the team's progress.</p> <h2>Why Was Scott Robertson Fired? Record 43-10 Loss to South Africa Seals All Blacks Coach's Fate</h2> <p>On paper, Robertson's tenure looks respectable enough: 10 wins from 13 Tests in 2025, a winning percentage hovering around 77%. But numbers, as any rugby fan will tell you, don't capture the whole picture. What they don't show is the manner of those losses, or the growing discontent festering behind closed doors.</p> <p>The breaking point came with a humiliating 43-10 defeat to South Africa in Wellington last year, the heaviest loss in All Blacks history. It wasn't just the scoreline that stung. It was the way New Zealand seemed completely outmatched, outthought, and, most damning of all, uninspired. That loss followed the All Blacks' first-ever away defeat to Argentina, another historic low that really seemed to crystallise doubts about Robertson's ability to translate provincial success to the international arena.</p> <p>Then came England at Twickenham in November. A 33-19 drubbing ended hopes of a grand slam against the Home Nations and marked only the ninth time in 120 years that England had beaten New Zealand. The writing, apparently, was on the wall.</p> <h2>Player Revolt and Ardie Savea Complaints: Internal Review Reveals Deep Squad Issues</h2> <p>What ultimately sealed Robertson's fate wasn't just results. Reports emerged in December of serious friction between senior players and coaching staff, with captain Ardie Savea reportedly "seriously unhappy" with the setup. Some accounts suggested that star players threatened to quit if Robertson remained, though these claims remain unconfirmed.</p> <p>David Kirk, chairman of New Zealand Rugby, tried to put a diplomatic spin on the split. "Both NZR and Scott agree it is in the best interests of the team that he depart his role as head coach," he said, thanking Robertson for putting the All Blacks first. But make no mistake: this was a sacking, not a mutual parting of ways.</p> <p>The internal review was scathing enough that the governing body reached a unanimous decision to terminate Robertson's contract halfway through, an almost unprecedented move that speaks volumes about how dire things had become.</p> <h2>From Crusaders Success to All Blacks Failure: Robertson's Stunning Fall From Grace</h2> <p>Robertson's fall from grace is stunning given his pedigree. His success with the Crusaders was the stuff of legend, seven titles in nine seasons that made him seem untouchable. He'd been the coach-in-waiting for years, his appointment in March 2023 generating massive excitement even as it undermined then-coach Ian Foster, who came within a whisker of winning the World Cup anyway.</p> <p>"Coaching the All Blacks has been the honour of my life," Robertson said in a statement, describing himself as "gutted" by the outcome. "I am incredibly proud of what this team has achieved and of the progress we have made. We have brought through a talented group of young players, strengthened the depth across the squad, and set solid foundations for the years ahead."</p> <p>Perhaps. But those foundations weren't strong enough to prevent the structure from collapsing around him. Critics say Robertson never found his rhythm at international level, that his game plan felt robotic and failed to account for the way Test rugby has evolved. His coaching staff experienced turnover, with two of his best assistants reportedly quitting due to internal issues.</p> <h2>Jamie Joseph Favourite to Replace Robertson as All Blacks Coach Before 2027 Rugby World Cup</h2> <p>Jamie Joseph, the former Japan coach now leading the Highlanders, is widely seen as the front-runner to replace Robertson. Joseph, who coached Japan to several stunning World Cup victories, has international experience and is already embedded in the New Zealand system. He faces a brutal baptism: the All Blacks host France, Italy, and Ireland in July, then tour South Africa for eight matches before facing Australia in the Bledisloe Cup.</p> <p>All of this happens with the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia looming on the horizon, just 20 months away. For New Zealand, a nation where rugby shapes identity and All Blacks losses feel like national tragedies, the pressure on whoever takes over will be immense. The team needs not just wins but a restoration of belief, a sense that New Zealand rugby hasn't permanently lost the edge that once made them untouchable.</p> <p>The Robertson era promised so much. Instead, it's become a cautionary tale about how success at one level guarantees nothing at another. For a rugby-mad nation watching nervously from across the Tasman, the question now is whether New Zealand can find its way back before the gap becomes unbridgeable. For those interested in following the All Blacks' fortunes under new management, understanding <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/punter-iq/guide/how-to-bet-rugby-championship">how to bet on the Rugby Championship</a> provides valuable context for the challenges ahead. The clock, as they say, is ticking.</p> <h2>Keep Reading</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-union/international-matches">Who's favoured when the All Blacks face France, Italy, and Ireland this July?</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-union/the-six-nations">How the Northern Hemisphere powers are shaping up ahead of the World Cup</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/rugby-union/european-champions-cup">The European clubs producing the talent that's troubling the All Blacks</a></li> </ul>