Rugby World Cup 2023: Scott Robertson barred from All Blacks games, Justin Marshall claims

Scott Robertson may be the next All Blacks coach but according to former teammate Justin Marshall, he’s been asked not to attend any New Zealand matches at the Rugby World Cup in France.

Robertson takes over from Ian Foster after the current World Cup and was spotted in the crowd by TV cameras at a Pool D game earlier in the tournament between England and Argentina in Marseille. But according to Marshall, the champion Crusaders coach has been told he’d be a “distraction” if seen at an All Blacks clash.

But according to Newstalk ZB host James Daniels, Robertson and his wife Jane Robertson are back in New Zealand. The host read aloud a text message from Jane saying: “JD, all is good, Scott and I are back now in New Zealand. We had a great holiday in France catching up with friends.”

The All Blacks square off against Uruguay in Lyon tomorrow before an expected quarter-final clash next weekend.

Marshall made the claims during a panel discussion on South Africa’s SuperSport, who he is working for in France as a pundit after losing his commentary role with Sky TV.

“Can I tell you something really interesting,” Marshall said in a discussion with former Springbok Schalk Burger.

“Scott Robertson has been here in France. You would have seen him. He’s been floating around. He’s not allowed to be at All Blacks games. They feel he’s too big a distraction to the current players.

Razor spotted in the crowd at England vs Argentina #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/uGR9nrFjxL

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 11, 2023

“All of a sudden they might want to chat to him or might want to impress him, so Ian Foster said to him... he’s not being allowed at All Blacks games.”

Scott Robertson v Ian Foster: Conflicting messages creates messy space for All Blacks fans

New Zealand Rugby declined to comment, but it is understood no directive was sent from the organisation to block Robertson’s attendance at matches.

All Blacks management in France have also been approached for comment.

Robertson told Newstalk ZB in April about his plans to head to the World Cup and watch ‘from a distance’.

“I think it’s really important that I go and watch and become involved and understand how the tournament works and look from a coaching point of view, not a fan point of view,” he said.

“I have full respect with the distance from the current All Black group and go with some couple of clear objectives, what I can learn from the tournament.”

Robertson was revealed as the next All Blacks coach back in March this year with the side yet to have played a test in the 2023 season. It put current coach Foster in an awkward position, and he pointed out his frustrations at the timing of the announcement.

“I think it’s pretty highly unlikely that I will be in this job next year, but I keep getting asked about it if am I going to apply,” Foster said to Newstalk’s ZB’s Mike Hosking in February before the announcement.

“The big question is what’s the best thing for the All Blacks in 2023. And for me, the team comes first and I want to express their view.

“I’m reading the tea leaves Mike and I think it looks like there’s a mood for a change. And, so for me, I’d like to put energy into that at the end of the year. Not now. My sole focus is on the World Cup and quite frankly, I think it’s highly unlikely that I’m going to be the next All Blacks coach anyway. But that’s, that to me is not my concern.

“This is becoming more of a debate about who’s going to apply then what’s the right thing for the team. And for me, I know there’s going to be some people going to make decisions, I respect that and I respect whatever decision is made. But I believe I owe it to our team to say what I felt was the right thing for the All Blacks in a World Cup year.”

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