Pressure is mounting on New Zealand Rugby to instigate major changes to the All Blacks coaching team after a scathing internal review and with serious doubts hovering over Ardie Savea’s future in the black jersey.
Last December the Herald revealed widespread internal frustrations from players and support staff following the All Blacks’ failed Grand Slam tour.
That feedback has now come through loud and clear in the All Blacks internal review, leaving New Zealand Rugby (NZR) hierarchy under serious pressure to deliver sweeping coaching changes.
The Herald understands the most critical feedback of the All Blacks coaching, culture and environment stems from senior players, with frustrations building throughout Scott Robertson’s two-year tenure.
All Blacks head coach Robertson and his leading assistant Scott Hansen are believed to be at the centre of the critical feedback.
Ardie Savea is understood to be exploring options to play in Europe. Photo / Photosport
World-class loose forward Savea, who captained the All Blacks several times in Scott Barrett’s injury absence last year, is among those believed to be seriously unhappy.
Multiple sources have told the Herald that Savea is exploring discussions to stay on with Japanese club Kobe beyond this year – or join a European club, with Irish club Leinster believed to be a possible destination.
Unless major coaching changes are made, Savea may not return to the All Blacks.
At this stage, though, he remains contracted through to 2027 and NZ Rugby expects he will return from Japan.
Savea is believed to have delivered strong feedback to NZR chairman David Kirk on last year’s Grand Slam tour.
The 32-year-old is, however, far from alone in his dissatisfaction with the way in which the All Blacks are being run.
One senior Blues player is also understood to have declined an invitation to join the All Blacks in their final test of the year in Cardiff from the All Blacks XV.
Issues have been evident on the field with the All Blacks displaying wild inconsistencies, third-quarter fades, struggling attack, high-ball vulnerabilities and defensive lapses.
Two assistant coaches, Leon MacDonald and Jason Holland, voluntarily departing in the last two years sparked red-flag concerns too.
But the latest stinging feedback from within – with communication, trust, strategy and selection all believed to have been raised – cannot be glossed over.
With NZR chief executive Mark Robinson concluding his six-year tenure in December, general manager of community rugby Steve Lancaster assuming the reins in an interim capacity and the next NZR boss yet to be appointed, the timing of the leadership handover enhances pressure on the national body to tackle the storm brewing within the All Blacks.
While the NZR board will have some say on the All Blacks coaching team, chairman Kirk sits in the kingmaker seat with the biggest decision of his role thus far.
With a daunting six-week tour of South Africa featuring four tests against the world champion Springboks looming in August and September, NZR must address the All Blacks’ issues or they could face a backlash from disgruntled players.
is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the .
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