All Blacks coaching: Ardie Savea, player revolt not behind Scott Robertson’s exit, NZR chairman David Kirk says

Scott Robertson’s exit as All Blacks coach was not a consequence of any kind of player revolt, New Zealand Rugby chairman David Kirk asserts.

In a bombshell move to begin 2026, Robertson has vacated his position as the All Blacks’ head coach just over halfway through his contract, and less than two years out from the next World Cup hosted by Australia.

Robertson brought with him the prospect of recreating the success he had with the Crusaders – seven championships in seven seasons, including the two New Zealand-only Covid-era titles – but the 51-year-old was not able to translate those results into the test arena.

In the two years since his appointment, the All Blacks have suffered seven defeats from 27 matches and already seen assistant coaches Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland leave their positions.

Following last year’s Northern Tour, Robertson was reviewed poorly by New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) high performance programme and a number of senior players, up to 20 of whom were canvassed at the end of last year.

The highest-profile of those, the Herald understands, is Ardie Savea.

Although Savea was contracted until the end of next year, the Herald understands the 32-year-old was exploring his options to either remain with Japanese club Kobe Steelers – with whom he’s currently on sabbatical – or a European side unless changes were made to the All Blacks coaching group.

However, fronting media in the hours after Robertson’s departure was confirmed, Kirk said any speculation Savea led a campaign against his coach is misplaced.

Instead, Kirk put Robertson’s exit down to the All Blacks’ trajectory towards the 2027 World Cup “not being on track” and said change has to be made to allow the next coach as much time as possible to get to grips with the role before the tournament.

“There was definitely no revolt,” Kirk said. “The players were very measured and thoughtful in their responses. It’s very unfair to say that Ardie somehow led something, not at all.

“He expressed public opinions. Some of those opinions were not agreed with by other players. Others would have been somewhat aligned with them.

“All of the players are individuals, make their own decisions, and analyse things in ways that are appropriate for them and the team.

“It’s a real red herring to think of Ardie having been influential in this decision. He absolutely was not.

“[Savea’s] contracted to us until the end of 2027. I would definitely expect to see him in a black jersey.”

Depending on the selections of the next All Blacks coach, Savea could also find himself as captain, with Kirk outlining the decision on the side’s leadership rests with Robertson’s replacement.

Regardless, the 1987 World Cup-winning halfback outlined that the All Blacks’ class of 2026 will get on with the job at hand, notably building towards four tests away to South Africa and the inaugural Nations Championship, beginning later this year.

“We’ve spoken to the leadership group before the announcement,” Kirk said. “Their reaction was, they just absorbed it.

“I know this from personal experience: players are players, you get on with it. You want to impress the coach, you want to be seen to be someone seen to be contributing.

“I think the players, all players, just get on with whatever environment they’re in.”

Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.