First thing I thought when I saw the ad that Scott Robertson took out in the paper today thanking fans was that Razor is a bigger asset to the All Blacks next year than I think the rugby bosses realise.

Simply because he understands something they don’t seem to, which is the importance of talking directly to the fans.

When was the last time you can recall a departing coach doing that when he didn’t have to?

Would’ve been much easier to post a short message on Instagram, but instead he took the time to write a long message and then get it printed in the paper. 

If you think about it, he's actually always taken a similar approach in communicating with fans. 

He actually tells fans what’s going on, sometimes he tells them too much and lands himself in trouble like he did with the AB's coaching drama.

And that is the polar opposite of what we get from the Rugby Union, who definitely do not put fans anywhere close to the centre of what they’re doing.

I mean, remember what happened after that awful loss to the Irish last year?

They cancelled the press conference Sam Cane and Fozzie were supposed to hold, because they obviously didn’t think they needed to give fans an explanation of what went wrong.

Same thing happened this year after the then dominant Chiefs lost the Super Rugby final to the Crusaders, Sam cane didn’t front up.

Doesn't matter who was to blame for that, either Sam or the coach made the call that he didn’t need to turn up and talk to the fans.

For the longest time the fans have been forgotten. 

Whether it’s putting on more rugby games than the fans can, or want to watch or putting them on in the evening when plenty of fans say they want to watch in the afternoon, or just not answering question.

The word has been that the reason it took so long for the rugby bosses to hire Razor as the AB’s coach is that they were worried about his unconventional antics: saying too much, breakdancing, all that kind of stuff.

I think they’ve got it wrong. 

I think that’s what they need. 

I think they need someone who does consider the fans, and Razor is clearly is that guy.

First thing I thought when I saw the ad that Scott Robertson took out in the paper today thanking fans was that Razor is a bigger asset to the All Blacks next year than I think the rugby bosses realise.
Simply because he understands something they don’t seem to, which is the importance of talking directly to the fans.
When was the last time you can recall a departing coach doing that when he didn’t have to? 
Would’ve been much easier to post a short message on Instagram, but instead he took the time to write a long message and then get it printed in the paper. 
If you think about it, he's actually always taken a similar approach in communicating with fans. 
He actually tells fans what’s going on, sometimes he tells them too much and lands himself in trouble like he did with the AB's coaching drama.
<span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}">And that is the polar opposite of what we get from the Rugby Union, who definitely do not put fans anywhere close to the centre of what they’re doing.
I mean, remember what happened after that awful loss to the Irish last year? 
They cancelled the press conference Sam Cane and Fozzie were supposed to hold, because they obviously didn’t think they needed to give fans an explanation of what went wrong.
Same thing happened this year after the then dominant Chiefs lost the Super Rugby final to the Crusaders, Sam cane didn’t front up. 
Doesn't matter who was to blame for that, either Sam or the coach made the call that he didn’t need to turn up and talk to the fans.
For the longest time the fans have been forgotten. 
Whether it’s putting on more rugby games than the fans can, or want to watch or putting them on in the evening when plenty of fans say they want to watch in the afternoon, or just not answering question.
The word has been that the reason it took so long for the rugby bosses to hire Razor as the AB’s coach is that they were worried about his unconventional antics: saying too much, breakdancing, all that kind of stuff.
I think they’ve got it wrong. 
I think that’s what they need.  
I think they need someone who does consider the fans, and Razor is clearly is that guy.

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.