All Blacks legend sets demanding targets for Scott Robertson after ‘unacceptable’ four years

Now that Scott Robertson has taken over as New Zealand’s coach, the three-time world champions should be able to return to their former dominance in international competition.

That is the word from famous All Blacks scrum-half Justin Marshall, who believes it is unacceptable that his old side has recently failed to maintain its excellent standards from years past.
Lost 14 tests in four years.
Since losing to England in the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in Japan in 2023, the All Blacks have lost 14 Tests in the last four years under former head coach Ian Foster, who was replaced by Robertson after a narrow defeat to the Springboks in last year’s World Cup final in France.

“I feel very strongly about it. All the way through to the next World Cup, where we want to win it, is vitally important for us to make sure we continue to create history, we continue to protect our history,” Marshall told The Platform.

“The fluctuations of the last four years since Ian Foster took control is unacceptable, and we’ve got to look at that.”
Marshall pointed out that while the All Blacks had some great achievements, there were also several disappointments which should not be ignored.

“Yeah, there were moments that were great, and there was success, but equally, there were big major disappointments in our history,” he said.

“Losing to Argentina for the first time in our history, losing a Test match to Argentina for the first time on our own soil. Losing to Ireland for the first time on our own soil, losing a Test series for the first time.

“That type of behavior is not acceptable. Being defeated by South Africa by a historic margin. “That is not the All Blacks.”

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New Zealand is now ranked third in World Rugby’s official rankings, trailing only South Africa and Ireland, and Marshall feels Robertson must restore the country’s prestige, which has suffered in recent years under Foster’s coaching.

“I think what we’ve got to realise is that every Test match between now and the Rugby World Cup is vital,” the 50-year-old said.

Focus on winning every test.
“It’s critical that we go out there and focus on winning every single one, no matter the cost or how difficult the opposition is.

“If we can do that, it will give us momentum to win major tournaments such as the Rugby World Cup.”

“My expectations are extremely high because I believe the previous four years have been inadequate.

“There has been some success, but when you consider everything I’ve just mentioned, as well as the losses and changes in history over the last nearly century, there has been a lot of hurt. “Everyone feels that.”