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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Robert Kitson in Dunedin

‘Razor’ Robertson is All Blacks’ surf dude tasked with sinking England

Scott Robertson at New Zealand training
Scott Robertson coached the Crusaders to seven successive Super Rugby titles and has ‘done his time’, according to his assistant, Leon MacDonald. Photograph: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Scott “Razor” Robertson could hardly be further removed from the traditional image of an All Blacks head coach. You never heard about Graham Henry checking the latest surf conditions or Steve Hansen indulging in post-game breakdancing. Or Ian Foster, the previous incumbent, opening up about having dyslexia and describing a close shave with a massive tiger shark.

Which, from the perspective of the Kiwi rugby public, is slightly unsettling. The sport needs characters and colour and Robertson has been delivering in both respects before his team even take the field, with a documentary on his rise from surf dude to New Zealand’s ultimate oval office already released on YouTube. On the other hand, no amount of breakdancing skill will help if the national team suddenly lose their obsessive winning edge.

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