Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has put the rugby world on red alert by saying he is open to offers to coach one of New Zealand's rivals at the 2027 World Cup.
Despite winning a raft of Super Rugby titles, Robertson was overlooked for the All Blacks job in 2019 with Ian Foster ultimately getting the nod. And, with New Zealand Rugby seemingly set to stick with Foster despite their current struggles, it would appear that Robertson has had enough of waiting for the big job to become available.
Speaking on a podcast with former Scotland international Jim Hamilton, Robertson outlined his desire to win a World Cup with two different countries. That declaration alone will likely catch the attention of many governing bodies in the sport, with England and Wales just two nations who will see their current coaches' contracts expire after next year's World Cup in France.
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"If New Zealand Rugby want me, great," Robertson told The Big Jim Show, also adding that his knock-back by New Zealand Rugby after the 2019 World Cup had taught him to "keep your options open".
"If there is another country - I wouldn't go to a club now - I really want to go to Rugby World Cup. I genuinely want to go to a couple. It's one job [All Blacks coach] and when someone doesn't give it to you, you have to think differently about what opportunities are out there.
"I'm 47, I'll be 52 by the time of the next Rugby World Cup... I want to go to two or three and test myself, push myself. I am open [to offers], yeah."
Eddie Jones' England contract expires in November 2023, with his replacement having been speculated about for some time. Wayne Pivac's contract with Wales also comes to an end after the World Cup in France, with Wales' performances in the tournament likely to determine whether there is another four years offered to the former Scarlets boss.
Of course, Wales and England won't be the only nations potentially bidding farewell to their current coaches next year, and with someone of Robertson's quality on the market, there could be several interested in hiring the Crusaders boss.
"It would be great to win a World Cup with your own country, which I want to do. That is the foremost thing," he added.
"But I would love to do it with another country. I'm not sure what order it is. I'm not sure how that plays out, those decisions are not mine. I would love to win two and have a different expectation, different culture.
"You have got to adapt to the country that you are coaching and get the best out of them. It's when someone goes 'how did he do that'? That is pretty special."
As well as outlining his international ambitions on the podcast, Robertson also spoke about the coaches in the current game he admires. As well as his former assistant Ronan O'Gara, who has since won a Champions Cup title with La Rochelle, Robertson name-checked a Welsh coach as someone he would like in his dream coaching ticket.
”I have got my mate Jase Ryan, who is an incredible forwards coach," he added. "I have really enjoyed what Mike Catt has done with Ireland. It’s pretty special, their short passing game, the work off the ball that they do.
"Robin McBryde, I’d love. Steve Borthwick... I love the way his team [Leicester] has a clear identity. He is pretty special in his own unique way. ”
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