Scott "Razor" Robertson, only a few years ago hailed as the future of All Black rugby after taking the Crusaders to multiple Super Rugby championships, has been dumped as All Black coach.
A process would commence immediately to find Robertson's replacement, NZ Rugby said on Thursday.
At a press conference on Thursday afternoon, NZR chair David Kirk said the "trajectory" of the All Blacks was not on track.
"The All Blacks are not on track the way they need to be for the 2027 World Cup," he said.
"The direction was clear... there was a consistent theme, a consistent direction delivered to us which we then followed up on and investigated further."
Kirk did not expand on the "consistent themes" that contributed to Robertson's exit.
He said the board made the unanimous decision to dump the 51-year-old after a three-hour meeting discussing an internal report, but did not name any front-runner replacements.
"Nope, no one in mind, we are going to cast our net wide," he said.
In a statement, Robertson said coaching the All Blacks had been an honour.
"I am incredibly proud of what this team has achieved and of the progress we have made. We have brought through a talented group of young players, strengthened the depth across the squad, and set solid foundations for the years ahead," he said.
Photo: Marty Melville
"Following the end of year review I have taken time to reflect on some of the feedback.
"My priority has always been the success of the All Blacks and, after discussions with New Zealand Rugby, I believe it is in the best interests of the team for me to step aside.
"I have therefore reached an agreement with New Zealand Rugby to end my contract early so a new coaching group has the time it needs to prepare and take the team into the next World Cup."
Robertson said he was "gutted by this outcome".
New Zealand Rugby
New Zealand Rugby said it had taken an "extensive look at the team's progress" on and off the field, and had had discussions with Robertson.
"Both NZR and Scott agree it is in the best interests of the team that he depart his role," NZR chair David Kirk said.
"The mid-point in the Rugby World Cup cycle is the right time to look at the All Blacks' progress over the first two seasons."
Kirk thanked Robertson.
"He has continued to put the All Blacks first and we respect that he has done the hard but right thing in agreeing to depart."
The internal review
There had been mounting speculation after an internal report into the 2025 All Black games found dissatisfaction among senior players.
The recent review was undertaken by Kirk, NZR board member and former test hooker Keven Mealamu and former NZR high performance manager Don Tricker.
Robertson's short tenure has been marred by turmoil.
Jamie Joseph, right, and Tony Brown during their time at the Highlanders. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Just eight months into his reign, assistant coach Leon MacDonald abruptly handed in his resignation ahead of the tour to South Africa, citing differences in attacking philosophy and coaching direction.
This was followed by back-to-back defeats in the republic.
The Otago Daily Times earlier speculated Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph could take over the All Blacks if Scott Robertson does lose his job.
Under Robertson, the All Blacks also suffered their heaviest defeat in history, humiliated by the Springboks 43-10 in Wellington and were beaten on Argentinian soil for the first time.
However, the Razor era hasn't all been doom and gloom. The All Blacks managed to keep the Eden Park streak intact with a gutsy victory over South Africa, and maintained New Zealand's two-decade Bledisloe Cup dominance.
With Robertson overseeing the side, the All Blacks have had a 74 percent win rate, with 20 wins from 27 tests.
Ceri Evans, head of leadership + mental performance, and coach Scott Robertson look dejected after the loss to Argentina. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Who next?
Current Highlanders coach and former Japan mentor Jamie Joseph is reportedly a front-runner to take charge of the national side, having coached the All Blacks 15 - effectively a second-tier national team - on their tour of Europe last November.
Springboks assistant coach Tony Brown - who worked with Joseph at Japan - and former Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie are other names linked with the role.
In response in a post on Facebook, Lima Sopoaga said "If I could chose the next coaching set up. It would start here". The text was posted alongside an image of coaches Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown.
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