Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has revealed he's inquired about joining Warren Gatland's coaching staff for next year's British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa.
Gatland, who coached the Chiefs in the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa season, is set to begin his Lions commitments next month and name his coaching team by the end of the year.
Robertson, who led the Crusades to the Super Rugby Aotearoa title, is determined to earn some valuable international coaching experience after missing out on the All Blacks job to Ian Foster last year.
The Lions' Tour is due to begin in July 2021, although the uncertainty around coronavirus means the tour could be postponed, with SA Rugby's chief executive Jurie Roux saying the tour is not viable if fans can't travel to South Africa.
Regardless, Robertson is hoping to be part of the coaching staff, although it's unclear if it will affect his role of coaching the Crusaders Super Rugby tournament.
Speaking to Country Sport Breakfast on Gold AM, Robertson said he's sent a formal request to Lions management.
"Once I missed the All Blacks job I actually reached out to Gats and asked him if I could go on that tour," Robertson told Country Sport Breakfast on Gold AM.
"I thought, look if I can't be involved with the All Blacks, what's the biggest thing - or actually bigger in its own self the Lions tour - to get involved.
"I said 'look, I would love to help you if I can'.
"Obviously there's a lot to work out with COVID and the tour. But we had a couple good conversations since and he's got to go through his line of management to make a decision.
"Something that really drives me and motivates me is probably to learn and understand.
"Obviously Gats has been hugely successful at the international level as a coach so he's a person to learn off and also allows me to not have to go offshore to actually coach and get that international experience."
