NZR ‘discusses’ next All Blacks coach

Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson might like to keep his phone off silent. Maybe that All Blacks call he’s been waiting on might be finally about to happen. Maybe it already has.

With Warren Gatland’s words ringing in his ear, New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson confirmed yesterday ‘‘discussions’’ have already started around the appointment of the All Blacks coach post the 2023 World Cup.

At a press conference in Auckland to introduce new board chair Dame Patsy Reddy, who takes over the leadership from the retiring Stewart Mitchell on February 1, NZR chief executive Robinson addressed the hot topic of the process to decide on the All Blacks coach after the global tournament in France next year.

With both England and Wales sacking incumbent national coaches this week, Eddie Jones and Wayne Pivac respectively, and Kiwi Warren Gatland shouldertapped to replace the latter (and released from his NZR contract to do so), the All Blacks succession plan has come nder the spotlight.

Trophy-collecting Crusaders Super coach Scott Robertson has been linked with numerous international vacancies post-RWC that are expected to be filled before next year’s global tournament, and Gatland, in his exit press conference on Wednesday, urged New Zealand Rugby to lock down the ‘‘hugely successful’’ Robertson as soon as possible. ‘‘He’s an obvious choice,’’ said Gatland. ‘‘There’s only one standout person, and New Zealand [Rugby] should be doing everything they can to make sure they can secure his services longterm.’’

And from where Gatland sat the process was simple as concerns a coach many of the leading nations in the world would love to wrap their hands around.

Robinson confirmed that the appointment process had been discussed at Wednesday’s board meeting in Auckland. ‘‘We know there’s an awful lot going on in that market and we are confident we’re having all the conversations we need to have at this time,’’ he said, though declined to elaborate.

Asked by Stuff if he acknowledged traditional timelines had changed around the appointment process, Robinson indicated wheels were already turning in that area. NZ Rugby has traditionally not looked at the role until after the global tournament.

‘‘We acknowledge that is part of the deliberation we’re going through, recognising previous processes around appointments versus what’s happening in the international environment, and learnings from the last appointment process as well.’’

Asked about Gatland’s advice, a smile crossed Robinson’s face.

‘‘He’s one of 5 million people who’s got an opinion on this. We get lots of good advice in this area, and as an executive and board we had a good discussion yesterday.

‘‘We acknowledge the environment is changing and moving quickly and we’re having lots of constructive conversations as a result of that.’’