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Scott Robertson reportedly offered South Island NRL team coaching role
Sport Nation • August 10th, 2026 11:05 am
Scott Robertson | Photo: Photosport
Scott Robertson has reportedly been offered a role as the inaugural coach with a proposed South Island NRL team.
The former All Blacks and Crusaders coach was sacked in January 2026, just two years into his four-year term following a New Zealand Rugby review.
Southern Orcas president Sir Graham Lowe told Code Sports: "I know it will take a lot of people by surprise but, ‘Razor’ has got obviously an absolutely fantastic record as a rugby union coach.
"We're really proud we have made the offer to Scott and we are hopeful that he is going to accept it," he claimed.
He urged Robertson is the right fit for the role due to his passionate Cantabrian nature and good record in coaching rugby union, despite having no experience coaching rugby league.
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“There wouldn’t be a more well-known guy certainly in the South Island and Canterbury, he brings a lot of the Canterbury pride.
"We're well aware that he hasn't coached rugby league before, but obviously we will make sure that we've got good assistance with him and people that he can work with.
"We don't see that as a problem at all because he's a leader and he's a coach of sport and he understands the language of sport, and the language of sport believe it or not is actually more powerful than the language of the NRL."
Robertson is not a complete stranger to the NRL however, following previous connections with Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy and Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Veteran rugby commentator and Sport Nation Mornings host Tony Johnson shared his live reaction to the reports.
"It's interesting that they'd be talking about naming a coach this far out if that's the case. Boy, that is one right out of left field, isn't it?"
Confirmation of the second New Zealand team, whether it's the Southern Orcas or by another name, is yet to be announced as part of the NRL's expansion plans.
Orcas reportedly make deal for Scott Robertson to coach potential NRL expansion team | Sport Nation Mornings
