Would champion Crusaders coach Scott “Razor” Robertson consider co-coaching the All Blacks with Ian Foster?
Foster seems unlikely to step aside following the team’s historic series loss to Ireland, meaning an interim shared job with the next successor may be on the cards.
Many believe that person will be Scott Robertson.
However, former All Black Israel Dagg believes Robertson would take little interest in sharing the reins with Foster, while ex-Warriors coach Tony Kemp would advise the coach against accepting a role on partnering terms.
Dagg: “I don’t think they can co-coach.”
“If you get given the job, you should be given the keys and if I’m trying to think like Razor, I don’t think he’d want to do it that way.”
Kemp: “No he wouldn’t (want to take that role). My advice would be no.”
“One of the things is … especially if you’re backing yourself as a coach and to get the job done, you want to be doing it your way.
“(Imagine) Razor’s siting there and he’s been offered a job, but he’s got to take some cookies with it that he doesn’t like eating and he’s got to say yes to the job.
“It’s like, ‘Na man, you’re actually asking me to coach your team, I want to coach my team.’
Dagg: “When you get the job, you’re the head coach but with Fozzie being there you’re probably starting to question how much you’re able to do.
“Because he’s had the reins, you’ve obviously got the head coach role, who (are the players looking at?)
“It’s like mixed messaging and that’s what they’re probably getting at the moment … so there’s that uncertainty in the environment.
“I just can’t see it happening.”
Kemp: “I think that’s the biggest question we’re trying to answer, is how do we handle this change?
“Because change is coming everyone can feel it, but the question is how do you make that change with the least amount of fallout?”
The All Blacks are yet to speak out following Saturday’s embarrassing defeat, however, with squad naming for August’s Rugby Championship looming, confirmation around the side’s future should be delivered in due course.