Veteran sports journalist and broadcaster Phil Gifford has urged NZ Rugby to guarantee Scott Robertson the All Blacks job or risk losing him overseas.
Robertson has again been overlooked for the role, with NZ Rugby boss Mark Robinson and his board confirming current All Blacks coach Ian Foster will stay in charge through the 2023 World Cup.
The Crusaders mastermind has long been touted as a future All Blacks coach, but he will have to wait at least another year, before he's considered again.
But Gifford believes that may not be enough to retain Robertson's services in New Zealand and promises are probably needed to fight off lucrative offers elsewhere.
"One of the things I think is essential for NZ Rugby to do right now, if it's possible - and it may not be - is to get alongside Scott Robertson, and some way or another, persuade him that there is still a role for him at the very top level of New Zealand rugby, because there should be," he told AM.
"Scott Robertson is possibly a once-in-a-generation coach. He's done amazing things with the Crusaders, he has an enthusiasm and a drive that is incredibly infectious, and he has the support of a lot of the New Zealand public.
"If it's announced, for example, that Scott Robertson has signed a four-year deal to go and coach England, let's say, I think the shock and horror of that would be enormous.
"It gets incredibly tricky, because to be blunt, if I was Scott Robertson, the only thing that would keep me here would be a guarantee that he would take over the All Blacks after the next World Cup in France.
"Can they do that and is that fair to Ian Foster? I'm just very, very glad that I'm not in Mark Robinson's shoes at the moment or on the board of NZ Rugby, who have to make those sorts of decisions."
Like many Cantabrians, Gifford makes no secret of his admiration for Robertson, who has brought sustained success to Canterbury and the Crusaders for many years.
Gifford believes he can bring a different dimension to the All Blacks coaching box, perhaps not seen for a while.
"Quite frankly, people in Canterbury love Scott Robertson and what's not to like?" he said. "He keeps winning, he's incredibly exuberant, he's incredibly bright and breezy.
"He is like the Lego movie - every day appears to be awesome to him, but it's not an act… that's him, he really is that much of an enthusiast."
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