Scott Robertson has stepped down as New Zealand coach following an internal review of the All Blacks’ performance. Speculation over Robertson’s future has mounted since December amid reports of friction between senior players and All Blacks staff. “The mid-point in the Rugby World Cup cycle is the right time to look at the All Blacks’ progress over the first two seasons. The team are set to play a significant 2026 schedule and the tournament in 2027 remains the key goal,” New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chairman David Kirk said. I am incredibly proud of what this team has achieved and of the progress we have made,” Robertson said.

Source: Irish Examiner January 15, 2026 08:12 UTC