Scott Robertson to coach Baabaas against All Blacks

Victorious Super Rugby coach Scott 'Razor' Robertson is set to assist the Barbarians when they taken on his home nation in November.

When asked by Robbie Deans to help coach the Barbarians against the All Blacks, Scott Robertson lodged a query with his employers in Wellington.

The guts of the matter was that Crusaders coach Robertson didn't want to get offside with anyone at NZ Rugby.

NZR high-performance manager Don Tricker was on to it, advising Robertson he was within his rights to join his former All Blacks and Crusaders boss Deans, who now coaches the Panasonic Wild Knights club in Japan, in guiding the famous Baabaas side.

The Baabaas are scheduled to play a handful of games at the end of the year, but it is the fixture against the All Blacks in London on November 5, to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the foundation of NZ Rugby, that will command the biggest audience from around the world.

Robertson became the first person to win a Super Rugby title as a player and coach, as well as the first coach to win on the first attempt, and in doing so bringing the trophy back to the upper South Island for the first time since 2008.

The fact Robertson will know a number of the All Blacks players so well won't be lost on anyone.

Even with Owen Franks and Joe Moody out with injuries, and Israel Dagg in serious doubt because of his shoulder injury, up to 10 Crusaders could still be selected for the northern tour and a decent chunk of that number could play the Baabaas.