Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson is feeling good ahead of the interviews to become the next All Blacks coach.
The 44-year-old led the Crusaders to their third successive Super Rugby title on Saturday, beating the Jaguares 19-3, having taken up the role of head coach on 2017
That win put Robertson in a league of his own, becoming the first person to ever win three successive Super Rugby titles as both a player and manager, having won the title between 1998-2000 as a player.
All of which has enhanced his credentials going into a crunch time for the All Blacks and he is feeling positive heading into everything.
“I’ve got to prepare as best I can to put myself forward. I’ve done what I can do so then hopefully I’ll have a great interview and if they want someone, they know who they’re getting with me. We’ll wait for December,” he said.
When asked again about his chances of securing the biggest job in rugby Robertson was short and sweet with his answer.
“Ask me closer to the time. I’m a pretty optimistic person – if you have a crack I’d like to think you have a chance,” he added.
Current All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen is set to step aside come the conclusion of the Rugby World Cup in Japan later this year, having been part of the country’s set-up for 16 years overall.
Hansen’s boots will leave a lot to be filled as he has led the All Blacks to back-to-back World Cups and is looking for the hat-trick this year.
22-capped All Black Robertson is one of several names to appear to be in the mix, as Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt continues to be linked along with All Blacks assistant Ian Foster and Glasgow Warriors head coach Dave Rennie.
Robertson is positive and has every right to be after everything he has done, but we will all wait anxiously until after the World Cup to find out who will take the reins of the most fearsome international side around.