Former All Blacks and Crusaders flanker Reuben Thorne is confident coach Scott Robertson will have the goods to one day coach the All Blacks, if he desires.
In his first year of coaching the Crusaders, Robertson led the Christchurch-based side to their first Super Rugby title since 2008, defeating the Lions 25-17 in the final.
Along with the Super Rugby title, the 42-year old won three provincial titles with Canterbury, and led the Under 20s side to glory at the 2015 World Cup.
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He also became the first person in history to lift the Super Rugby trophy as both player and coach.
Speaking to RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport, Thorne said Robertson has the resume to one day coach the national side.
"I think giving what he has achieved this year and the last couple of years with Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup, he's certainly got the CV for it," Thorne said.
"I think he will want to get there one day, it's just a matter of when rather than if."
Thorne said Robertson is "passionate" about coaching and will want to go as far as he can.
"But he loves the Crusaders and the environment he is in and he may be content growing and learning in that role for a few more years yet," he said.
The win for the Crusaders was their eighth Super Rugby title, and the first one Thorne was not a part of.
However Thorne believes the title was one of their most difficult, as it was the first time a non-South African team has won the final in South Africa.
"It has to be right up there in terms of their in terms of the overall season and what they managed to do," he said.
"The Crusaders have done it in Australia, but to go that extra step to South Africa at Ellis Park at altitude is pretty significant."
The Crusaders finished the Super Rugby season with only one loss, which was against the Hurricanes.
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