Sacked All Blacks coach Robertson to lead Barbarians

Sacked New Zealand coach Scott Robertson will return to rugby by taking charge of the Barbarians this summer.

Robertson, whose two-year spell with the All Blacks ended in January, will lead the invitational side against world champions South Africa in Port Elizabeth on 20 June, before a match against Wales at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on 27 June.

“The Barbarians brings the rugby world together, so it’s special to be a part of it and to honour the jersey,” Robertson said.

Robertson, who won seven successive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders between 2017 and 2023, will not be short of options when he chooses to resume his career full-time.

New Zealand Rugby included a non-compete clause in his severance package which bars Robertson from taking charge of a top-tier Test rival until early 2027.

However it has been reported Robertson would be free to join a rival international team earlier if they have fulfilled their 2026 fixtures against the All Blacks.

Robertson revealed in 2022 that his ultimate coaching ambition is to win the Rugby World Cup with both New Zealand and another nation.

At club level, Prem side Harlequins, who are searching for a figurehead after head coach Danny Wilson departed for Wales at the start of this season, have been linked with the 51-year-old.