All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has played alongside and coached some pretty talented rugby players over the past few decades and has a pretty good idea of what it takes to make it in professional rugby.

“The players with the right mindset will always find a way to succeed in rugby and often they aren’t the players that standout at schoolboy level,” Robertson told Rugby News. 

“Sometimes it takes guys a little longer to develop and to get the best out of themselves but when they get things right on and off the field, then at a certain age, things seem to click for them. 

“At the Crusaders, we had a number of great examples of guys who joined us a few years after leaving school. A lot of front rowers and forwards in general need a bit longer because they still need to grow into their bodies”

Robertson made 22 appearances for the All Blacks as a backrower and played in New Zealand and Europe before turning his attention to coaching. 

He coached the New Zealand under 20s side before taking over as Crusaders head coach in 2017, then the All Blacks in 2024.

“At the Crusaders, we were always really big on working with good people with great character, who have some rugby ability and a passion for the game,” he said. 

“The structures the clubs have set up over here cater for all types of players because we think it’s all about getting the best out of yourself. If you’re willing to work hard, then we know we’ve got the environment to upskill you, if you’ve got the right mindset.”

For young players, particularly those still in their teens and early 20s, Robertson said hard work on and off the field was key.

“The big thing for guys coming out of school and young players in general is that you’ve got to build your biggest asset and that’s your body,” Robertson said. 

“You’ve got to find a way to get the best out of your body and not just build it for one or two years, but build it so it can last for 10 plus years of rugby.”

Robertson said that as rugby gets more and more physical and professional, the likelihood of players walking out of school and into a Super Rugby side is reducing. 

“A lot of people think that rugby players are done if they aren’t in a Super Rugby academy by the time they’re 18 or 19 but I don’t think that’s true. 

“If you’ve got your mindset right and you work hard on your body, then it can certainly happen for you in your early to mid 20s or even later in your career.”