Interview: ‘Razor’ is the All Blacks’ surf dude tasked with capsizing England

'What is the mindset overall? Who is going where? Bringing it alive is the key,' he says. 'That’s what I like the guys to have in their minds. I am not great at admin. I just talk to pictures'

EYE FRONT: Head Coach Scott Robertson looks on during a New Zealand All Blacks training session in Wellington. Pic: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

SCOTT “Razor” Robertson could hardly be further removed from the traditional image of an All Blacks head coach. You never heard about Graham Henry checking the latest surf conditions or Steve Hansen indulging in post-game breakdancing. Or Ian Foster, the previous incumbent, opening up about having dyslexia and describing a close shave with a massive tiger shark.

Which, from the perspective of the Kiwi rugby public, is slightly unsettling. The sport needs characters and colour and Robertson has been delivering in both respects before his team even take the field, with a documentary on his rise from surf dude to New Zealand’s ultimate oval office already released on YouTube. On the other hand, no amount of breakdancing skill will help if the national team suddenly lose their obsessive winning edge.