Robert Van Royen believes that Crusaders head coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson will "have to wait" until at least the next World Cup before he can get his hands on New Zealand Rugby's top job.
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster is yet to be re-signed by NZ Rugby and it’s no secret that Robertson is after the nation's most sought after job.
Since becoming Crusaders coach, Robertson has led the team to a remarkable record of 71 wins, four draws and just nine losses. In that time he has lifted a three-peat of Super Rubgy titles and two Super Rugby Aotearoa titles back-to-back.
However, after signing a deal that ties him to the Crusaders until 2024, Van Royen says it’ll take some extraordinary circumstances for ‘Razor’ to get the nod anytime soon.
“I think he (Robertson) knows and most people know that even though Ian Foster hasn’t been re-signed yet, it’s more than likely that ‘Razor’ is going to have to wait until the next World Cup,” Van Royen told SENZ Breakfast.
“I think most people down here - talking about the Crusaders fans, they’d like to see him coach the All Blacks.
“They’re also seeing it as a bit of a win for them because he’s still going to be here coaching the Crusaders. Obviously, if he goes to the All Blacks they lose him in that regard.
“Unless Ian Foster loses the Bledisloe and doesn’t win the Rugby Championship, then I think it’s very unlikely that New Zealand Rugby don’t re-sign him.”