The China Mail - 'Razor' Robertson: breakdancer, surfer, All Blacks' saviour?

Officials in Wellington said the 48-year-old will replace Ian Foster, who steps down as New Zealand head coach following the Rugby World Cup, which ends in October.

As All Blacks player #974, the loose forward laced up in 23 Tests for New Zealand from 1998 until 2002.

He earned the nickname "Razor" on the pitch for scything down opponents with his tackles and his record as a coach is just as sharp.

After hanging up his boots, Robertson learned his trade by helping junior club Sumner, based near his home in the seaside suburbs of Christchurch, winning promotion in the regional Canterbury leagues.

Robertson recently said that he loved cutting his coaching teeth by helping the amateur team of tradesmen and builders improve and enjoy their rugby.

He polished his skills as an assistant coach at his former provincial team Canterbury, eventually filling the head coach role.

In June 2016, Robertson made the step up Super Rugby when he was put in charge of the Canterbury Crusaders with instant success.

He has written himself into the franchise's folklore by leading them to six straight Super Rugby titles since his debut season in 2017.

Each victorious Super Rugby final has seen Robertson bust out his breakdancing moves on the pitch to get the party started.

With a thick mop of blond hair, Robertson likes to ride the waves near his home.

It is not unusual to see him skateboarding to the beach with a surfboard tucked under his arm.

"I'm lucky that I can surf before going to work," he recently said.

Having missed out to Foster in 2019, many in New Zealand rugby feel this is Robertson's time to coach the All Blacks.

However, his critics point to a lack of experience at the international level.

He helped the Barbarians beat a shadow All Blacks XV last December and was in charge of the New Zealand junior team that won the World Under-20 title in 2015.

Apart from that, Robertson has never coached a senior national rugby team.

- 'Infectious' -

But ex-All Blacks forward Matt Todd, who Robertson coached for three years at the Crusaders, backed him to make the step up.

"Obviously international rugby is different, but with his work ethic, desire to improve and forward thinking, it would be great to see him go into the All Blacks," Todd told AFP via phone from Japan.

Todd, who currently plays for Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus, said Robertson has his own all-action coaching style.

"It's awesome. He creates an environment that you really look forward to coming into each day and gets the best out of you," he said.

"Sometimes during a season, things can become mundane, but he's great at keeping each week unique."

"He brings good energy. He's always up and excited at training. It's infectious and flows through the team.

Todd said one of Robertson's special skills is knowing exactly how to motivate, "because he understands his players, and takes time to get to know them, he knows what makes each person tick".

C.Smith--ThChM