Robertson has landed a new role weeks after being sacked as New Zealand boss
Former New Zealand head coach Scott Robertson will help lead the Barbarians when they take on Wales this summer.
The 51-year-old, who was sensationally axed as All Blacks boss last month, has been named as part of a world-class coaching quartet to lead the invitational side on their summer tour in June, which will see them face South Africa in Port Elizabeth before taking on Steve Tandy’s men in a double header at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham a week later.
Robertson will be joined in the coaching group by Argentina boss Felipe Contepomi and his assistant Kenny Lynn, as well as Racing 92 head coach and former France prop Patrice Collazo.
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The former All Blacks boss has previously coached the Barbarians on four previous occasions, leading them against New Zealand and Tonga in 2017 and an All Blacks XV in 2022, before taking charge of them once again for their 2023 meeting with Wales in Cardiff.
After landing his first job since being sacked by New Zealand, Robertson said: “The Barbarians brings the rugby world together, so it’s special to be a part of it and to honour the jersey/”
Contempomi, who represented the Barbarians five times as a player, added: “It was a tremendous honour to play for the Barbarians, and now to be invited to coach the BaaBaas in a match against the back-to-back world champions in their own country is just as special.
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“It’s a recognition of the performance of Los Pumas in recent years, and it will be a great challenge to put a team together in a week to face South Africa. I eagerly await that opportunity.”
The Barbarians will take on the Springboks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 20, before taking on Wales at Twickenham on June 27, with both the men and women’s sides in action.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus said: “It’s always exciting to face the BaaBaas, and we are looking forward to hosting them in South Africa for the second year in a row — this time at the iconic Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, where we have traditionally enjoyed fantastic support.
“With our opening Nations Championship encounter against England two weeks later, this will be an ideal opportunity to get the players match-ready against a side that always boasts top players from across the world.
“The key for us, however, will be to focus on our structures and what we want to achieve on the field. This is a new season with two new exciting competitions, so the sooner we get into a Test match mindset, the better.”
Both Wales men’s and women’s clashes with the Barbarians will be uncapped, with the fixture the latest in a long shared history between the Welsh national side and the famous invitational club.
Wales’ last match with the Baa Baas came after the 2023 World Cup, with the game in Cardiff serving as a farewell to Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Leigh Halfpenny.
