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The news of Scott Robertson’s sacking by the All Blacks could not have come at a better time for Harlequins.
As the London club are deep into a recruitment search for a long-term coach, the perfect candidate has landed in their lap.
The breakdancing Kiwi, 51, could become the coaching darling of the Stoop, famed for his laidback approach to life and an appetite for flowing rugby.
When he was coaching the Barbarians back in 2022, Robertson stopped for a chat after training and talked about his admiration for Marcus Smith.
Robertson was in discussions to become the England coach at the time and you suspect Smith would have been his first pick at No 10 if he were given the job.
The RFU opted for Steve Borthwick instead, but now Robertson and Smith could have the chance to work together on the other side of Twickenham. Smith has cut a frustrated figure over the past 12 months but Robertson could give the fly-half the boost he needs.
The news of Scott Robertson’s sacking by the All Blacks could not have come at a better time for Harlequins
Marcus Smith (left) has cut a frustrated figure over the past 12 months but Robertson could give the fly-half the boost he needs
The London club currently have a hotchpotch of various coaches and consultants and Robertson could be the figurehead they are craving.
It has been a torturous season for them, losing their head coach Danny Wilson on the eve of the campaign after a series of rifts and unrest, then losing seven of nine PREM matches to sit eighth in the table.
Ultimately, taking one of the biggest jobs in world rugby was one step too far for Robertson, a coach with little Test pedigree, but he leaves with a wealth of experience.
There has been a churn of coaches at the Stoop but Robertson could come in with a long-term vision to get the team back on track. He is a man who could beef up the club’s academy output and cherry-pick his recruits with a vision of how he wants the team to play.
The CVs of fellow Kiwis Dave Rennie and Vern Cotter have also landed in the offices at the Stoop – but they are now among the candidates to fill Robertson’s shoes with the All Blacks.
Robertson will be in demand throughout the world. He spent three years in Perpignan as a player and will no doubt have a host of offers from clubs in France and Japan.
During his trophy-filled days at the Crusaders, Robertson had a reputation as a coach who encouraged players to step out with a smile on their face
Robertson is a man who could beef up the club’s academy output and cherry-pick his recruits with a vision of how he wants the team to play
Robertson’s time with the All Blacks ended on a sour note, with the team well beaten at Twickenham by England and rumours of player unrest at his methods
The club have already expressed their interest in speaking to Robertson and they should be making approaches immediately.
During his trophy-filled days at the Crusaders, Robertson had a reputation as a coach who encouraged players to step out with a smile on their face.
He would not shout or overload his players with instructions which, in many ways, seems like the perfect fit for the Harlequins approach.
It is an opportunity that is too good to miss.
