All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has revealed how his time in Northern Ireland helped him advance through the ranks in New Zealand and assume command of the iconic national team.

The former Crusaders coach is preparing for his first Test series in command of his country since taking over, with the All Blacks hosting England in the first of two games this weekend.

Robertson, nicknamed Razor, was always considered as a logical contender for head coach given his unparalleled success in Canterbury, guiding the Crusaders to the Super Rugby title in all of his seven years in command.

Despite his success, the 49-year-old has credited a brief time on our shores with setting him on the correct track, which finally led to him taking on perhaps the most coveted job in world rugby.

“After school, I went to play rugby at Ards, Belfast, Northern Ireland. It allowed me to fast mature in terms of life’s realities and prospects. “I was limited in my thoughts,” Robertson told The Telegraph.

“The way I played rugby, I realized I had an opportunity thanks to the gift of football. I matured significantly. The first thing I learned from playing in Adds was that I needed to get an education.

“A lot of the guys attended Queen’s University. I’d sit in the back of the lecture hall and listen. Then they were heading to Amsterdam or London for finance and markets. Education provided them with opportunities that I did not have.

“I was not going to be a bricklayer, a herdsman, or a worker. The educational component influenced (me). It wasn’t the university; it was how I discovered what I knew, and what I required at university was the key.

“As an adult, I returned to university. This is when I met my wife. I sat in front of the most attractive female in the class and married her seven years later. Jane earned a double degree.

“I learned about myself at university. How do I work? Who do I need around me? What are my blind spots? What’d I missing? Get them around me; you have some excellent ideas, man. Jane was among those who assisted me in finishing the task.

“When I signed with the Crusaders, I was the first player to attend Lincoln University. Part of my contract required them to pay for my degree. Now there are all these graduates; Richie McCaw, the Whitlock’s, and the Barrett’s have all attended. Richie received an honorary degree after completing their education.

“So I was a bit of a pioneer in that way; it took me a few years longer than usual, but I was playing Test football at the time. I recently discovered how I learned.”

Now he hopes to lead the All Blacks into a new golden era after a period of stagnation under Ian Foster, following in the footsteps of Gordon Tiete’s, Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, and Wayne Smith.

He is not a traditional New Zealand head coach in that aspect, with a blonde mop of hair and a predilection for surfacing and break-dancing that contrasts with many, if not all, of his predecessors, but the hope is that his record will speak for itself.

It was relatively fortunate that he is in this situation. In December 2022, he was head-hunted to compete with Steve Borthwick to be England’s head coach after Eddie Jones’ departure, which was another lucrative post.

But, in actuality, he was never a serious contender for the position. The RFU had always preferred Borthwick than Robertson, but the Mount Maunganui native was also hesitant to accept the position, despite his desire to become a national coach.

We were discussing living in a castle at one point, me and the missus,” Robertson says.

“I’m done with club rugby. I considered heading to France, but I didn’t want to return to club rugby after my wonderful time with the Crusaders.

“It was time to put myself to the test at Test level. And the opportunity and timing came with the All Blacks. I had other opportunities, but my feet were here.

“My first choice was to be where I am today. I’m glad I stayed in that fight; here we are.”

Even while Robertson has long been regarded as an All Blacks coach in the making, long before he took on the role, reservations remain in New Zealand about his ability to transition club success to the national stage, particularly given his light-hearted attitude.

“People see me as who I am, myself,” he was saying. “I believe the first thing they notice is that ‘he is just consistently open and honest’. I know when I’ve gotten it right or wrong.

“I have a side to me where I think I can connect with all people on a personal front, or in a team side of it.”

There is also curiosity about how he will interact with his new team, with whom he has just had ten days to work as they prepare to welcome a revitalized England, but the appointment of Scott Barrett as captain has already won hearts and minds.

Similar to Borthwick’s crash course at the start of last year, Robertson now faces a reinvigorated England after only 10 days with his squad. Starting in Dunedin before heading up to Auckland for the second Test is significant as he wants to link the New Zealand public with his team, led by new skipper Scott Barrett.

“We are an effort-based team, he is an effort-based captain. He would do what he expects of others,” he says

“I just love being around groups and people. This is special. When I became an All Black I wanted to become an All Black coach. That has led to getting around the world and learning off the best and how they shape themselves. “The one thing I learned from all of them, they are all extremely genuine good men or women. You get what you see and that is why people buy in.”