Dan Carter puts pressure on All Blacks and Scott Robertson over ‘huge’ England series

Scott Robertson, head coach of New Zealand’s national rugby team, speaks to reporters at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground on March 17, 2024, after watching a match between Brave Lupus Tokyo and Sagamihara Dynaboars. (Kyodo)==Kyodo Photo via C

Dan Carter admits that the upcoming Test series with England is significant for the All Blacks.

New Zealand will play their first game since the agonising defeat to the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup final last October.

In Ian Foster’s final match in charge, they succumbed 12-11 as South Africa made history by becoming the first team to win four world titles.

Robertson has since taken over from Foster and there is plenty of excitement about what the All Blacks can do under the Crusaders legend.

Dynasty

The 49-year-old is one of the most highly regarded coaches in the game after he created a dynasty with the Christchurch outfit in Super Rugby.

They claimed seven titles in as many seasons and he will be looking to have similar success while heading up the national team.

Their first challenge is against a seemingly improving England outfit, who shocked Ireland in the recent Six Nations and ran France incredibly close away from home.

Steve Borthwick’s men will hope they can catch New Zealand cold as the hosts adapt to life with Robertson now at the helm.

“It’s a huge series for the All Blacks. There’s a lot of changes within the All Black environment, a new coaching group led by Scott Robertson,” Carter told the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast.

“There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of anticipation around the changes he will make. We’ve lost a lot of experienced players, so there’s going to be a lot of young guys coming through wanting to put their hands up.”

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Rebuild

Robertson has a rebuilding job on his hands following the loss of some vital players, including Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga in the key playmaking positions.

The All Blacks also won’t have their great lock partnership available, with Brodie Retallick moving to Japan and the France-based Sam Whitelock retiring at the end of the European season.

Although there is still plenty of talent throughout New Zealand, taking that into the Test environment and performing at the highest level is always the big question.

The new head coach may also tinker with the style of play, so there is perhaps an opportunity for England to cause an upset when they head to the southern hemisphere in July.

Carter claims that England are “under a little bit of pressure”, but that there is plenty of motivation for the Red Rose when they face the All Blacks.

“It’s a really key series for the All Blacks and Scott Robertson in particular, just to stamp his mark on the style of rugby he wants to be playing,” he added.

“Obviously, England are under a little bit of pressure and will want to finish their year strongly by coming down to New Zealand and upsetting the All Blacks.”