Bledisloe Cup Has Epic Coaching Clash Of Scott Robertson And Joe Schmidt
Bledisloe Cup Has Epic Coaching Clash Of Scott Robertson And Joe Schmidt
Joe Schmidt and Scott Robertson bring contrasting styles to the Bledisloe Cup as the coaches meet for the second time in September and October.
FloRugby analyst Philip Bendon called Joe Schmidt, 59, perhaps the best coach in the world.
The Australian Rugby leader built Ireland Rugby into one of the best national teams in the world from 2013-2019. He then helped New Zealand and former coach Ian Foster in 2021 and 2022.
Schmidt is in his final season coaching the Wallabies, righting the ship after a disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“Joe, in my opinion, is the best rugby coach in the game today from a tactical standpoint,” Bendon said. “What he did taking Ireland from an inconsistent side to No.1 in the world, and then turning around the All Blacks from arguably their worst form of the professional era to being World Cup finalists, is as impressive as just about anything any coach has ever done in the game.”
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Meanwhile, Scott “Razor” Robertson is in his second season coaching the All Blacks after a historic run as the Crusaders coach in Super Rugby.
Robertson was one of the hottest names in coaching before he took on the task of leading the most successful and consistent team in the sport’s history.
"What Razor did with the Crusaders was absolutely spectacular," Bendon said. "But the reality is that Super Rugby is just nowhere near as competitive as international rugby. And the difference between coaching a club side and a test side has never been bigger."
Robertson's task of installing his way of rugby will take more time than it was with the Crusaders.
"It's just going to take a bit longer for him to embed in the culture he wants and the core value he wants in the squad," Bendon said. "Overall, there have been some really great signs for the All Blacks under Razor. But the Kiwi public just need to understand that they are no longer the dominant force that they were between 2010 and 2019. And that isn't going to change any time soon."
In 2024, Robertson got the best of Schmidt twice, as the All Blacks swept the Bledisloe Cup in The Rugby Championship.
Joe Schmidt's All-Time Record Vs. Scott Robertson's All-Time Record
Joe Schmidt is 63-1-30 in his career as an international rugby coach. His first match was in 2013 as the Ireland coach.
Scott Robertson is 13-4 since taking over the All Blacks in 2024. As the head coach of the Crusaders, he was 98-2-17.
When Is The Bledisloe Cup 2025?
The first of two matches will be in the New Zealand national rugby stadium, Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.
The All Blacks are playing two matches at one of the most famous rugby stadiums in the world. First against South Africa, then against the Wallabies.
The first Bledisloe Cup match is at 1:05 a.m. on Sept. 27.
The second heads west, like way west, as New Zealand faces Australia at Optus Stadium in Perth. That match is set for 5:45 a.m. on Oct. 4.
How To Stream The Bledisloe Cup: NZ Rugby Vs. Australia
The match is streaming live in the United States on FloRugby and the FloSports app. Match highlights, replays and more will be on both platforms.
The Rugby Championship 2025 Schedule
Aug. 16
Aug. 23
Sept. 6
Sept. 13
Sept. 27
Oct. 4
How To Watch The Rugby Championship 2025
In the United States, rugby fans can watch 2025 The Rugby Championship on FloRugby and the FloSports App.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.