Razor on Crusaders' collapse: 'It's been a ride'

"How do I put this professionally? It's been a ride."

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has spoken on the struggles of the Crusaders, saying he had kept in touch with new coach Rob Penney as he had with the rest of the New Zealand franchises.

The man known as Razor — and a fans' favourite in Christchurch and beyond as he led the Crusaders to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles — was reluctant to say more on a Zoom call with Kiwi media this morning.

His new role means he has to be far more circumspect when it comes to his former team. He added: "We're in touch with all franchises. That's just to find out how they are playing and a little about the players who are in there. I look at the game and the individuals as much as the team."

The Crusaders have lost nine matches this season — one more than their disastrous first season in the competition in 1996, their latest blow coming at the hands of the Highlanders in Dunedin where they lost 32-29.

Now 11th of 12 teams in the competition, their season has been calamitous for a franchise which prides itself on excellence and high standards.

Clearly the majority of their players are lacking confidence — not an issue when Robertson was in charge — and that their former coach is feeling for them. He won't say it, but the "ride" has not been a comfortable one.

A day after Sam Cane's announcement that he would step down as All Blacks captain and that this would be his last in international rugby, Robertson was asked a variety of questions about his new skipper.

"I've had conversations around the captaincy and the role and we'll name that when we name the team," he said.

The successful candidate — and presumably Scott Barrett and Ardie Savea are favourites, with the former perhaps with his nose in front — would be "someone the players will follow. They will lead on the field. They have to start. They have to be world class in their position and someone the players respect".

Asked whether he had informed the successful candidate of his decision, Robertson said only: "There have been discussions with players but that's all I can say."

Robertson clearly has an affinity with Barrett, his former skipper at the Crusaders. Of Savea, who is finishing his season in Japan, he said: "Ardie is an experienced player and a quality leader who can play multiple positions."

Cane's back injury — which he is rehabilitating in Japan — means he will lose further ground to his loose forward rivals, and there are plenty.

Hoskins Sotutu's form at the Blues means Robertson could consider moving Savea back to openside flanker, with Hurricanes youngsters Peter Lakai and Brayden Iose also impressing hugely. Du'Plessis Kirifi and Devan Flanders are also in excellent form at the Hurricanes, with Cullen Grace and Christian Lio-Willie at the Crusaders and Dalton Papali'I and Akira Ioane at the Blues also in the mix.

"The loose forwards are exciting. There are some good performances and really good form from our players in Super Rugby."

Robertson said Cane's decision to sign a three-year contract with Suntory and thereby leave his New Zealand contract a year early made sense on a financial and family level.

"It was really emotional for him," he said. "He Facetimed Jase Ryan and I and made sure he could look us in the eyes and tell us what he was thinking. By the end of the conversation it was clear he had a great opportunity.

"He's coming back from injury. He has to perform to be a part of the All Blacks but he's a leader and he wants to be involved and he's played 95 Tests so he knows what it takes. If he performs it is up to me to pick him."

Robertson confirmed he had been in talks with Richie Mo'unga and Shannon Frizell, now at Toshiba.

The pair are part-way through the first year of two-year deals with the Japan club and it would require something remarkable to get them home early. Robertson appears up for the task, however.

"My job is to get the best players for the All Blacks," he said. "I'm not going to talk on individual players but I need the best available players for our country. What goes on behind the scenes — we have to be professional around the employment stuff."

In encouraging news, Crusaders and All Blacks outside back Will Jordan has had surgery on a shoulder injury and should be available for the Argentina Rugby Championship Tests in August.

Robertson confirmed he would name a squad of 32 for the two Tests against England in Dunedin and Auckland and Test against Fiji in San Diego in July on June 24, which is the Monday after the Super Rugby Pacific final.

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