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Codie Taylor Expresses Disappointment Over Scott Robertson’s Sacking, Eyes All Blacks Reassertion
New Zealand rugby is at a crossroads following the unexpected dismissal of All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson, but veteran player Codie Taylor believes the situation presents an prospect to reclaim international dominance. Speaking at the launch of the 30th season of Super Rugby in Auckland, Taylor, 34, voiced his personal dismay over the departure of the coach known as “Razor.”
Taylor described feeling “pretty gutted” for Robertson, emphasizing his respect for the coach and acknowledging the impact the decision will have on his family. “I consider him a great man and I have a lot of respect for him,” Taylor told 1News.”he and his family – it will be hard. He wanted so much for the team and the All Blacks and gave a lot.” Despite the disappointment, Taylor quickly shifted focus to the future, stating, “What’s done is done now.”
New Zealand Rugby is conducting a comprehensive search for Robertson’s successor, with a clear preference for a New Zealander possessing international coaching experience. Two frontrunners have emerged: Jamie Joseph, who recently led the All Blacks XV, and Dave Rennie, the former coach of the Chiefs and the Australian Wallabies, currently coaching in Japan.
The change in leadership comes after Robertson’s two-year tenure yielded seven losses. Taylor,a veteran hooker with 106 test caps,enjoyed meaningful success under Robertson,winning seven consecutive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders,and another last year under Rob Penney. He reflected on the lessons learned from a challenging 2024 season,stating,”You can always draw on disappointment and that’s probably where we were last year. We didn’t get 2024 right – in 2025 we turned it around.”
The Crusaders’ resilience was on full display in last year’s Super Rugby final, where they narrowly defeated the Chiefs at their unconventional home ground in Addington, a stadium rebuilt after the devastating 2011 Christchurch earthquakes. The stadium, often criticized by opposing teams for its exposed conditions, became a symbol of the city’s recovery and played to the Crusaders’ strengths in forward play.
Looking ahead, the Crusaders are preparing for the 2026 season, which will see them move into the new 30,000-seat Te Kaha arena in Christchurch. Taylor expressed excitement about the new facility, calling it “a new home and something Christchurch has deserved for a long time after a pretty hard time with that tragedy.” He acknowledged that visiting teams might prefer the enclosed surroundings of Te kaha, but cautioned that relying too heavily on expansive play could be detrimental. “I know in the past playing down at [Dunedin’s] Forsyth Barr the roof can be a case of ‘fool’s gold’ – you try to play too much and it’s a detriment to your game,” he explained. “I think that could be the case with our new stadium.”
The Crusaders will welcome back Leicester Fainga’anuku this season, but will be without captain and lock Scott Barrett, who is taking a sabbatical. Taylor highlighted the opportunities this presents for emerging players like Antonio shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, and Taylor Cahill.He also praised the benefits of a sabbatical, having taken one himself in 2024, noting that it allows players to “step away from the game, connect with your family and get a little bit of longevity.”
Despite the excitement surrounding the new season and the upcoming Rugby World Cup, taylor remains grounded. He acknowledged the draw for the tournament has added a sense of reality, but emphasized the work that remains. “It still feels quiet far away. There is still a lot to get through and achieve before then,” he said. “If I get the honor of playing in that tournament it would be awesome.” Taylor was sporting visible signs of training – a black eye and eight stitches from a head clash with prop Tamaiti Williams – a testament to the physical demands of the sport.
