Dalton Papali'i, the dynamic All Blacks and Blues openside flanker, has recently voiced a stark contrast in coaching styles between former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and his predecessors. Robertson, who was ousted from his role last month midway through his tenure, brought a distinct approach to the helm, which was quite different from what players experienced under Ian Foster and Steve Hansen. Papali’i, gearing up to lead the Blues in their upcoming Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park, shed some light on this coaching shake-up.
Robertson, who succeeded Foster following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, had a brief and turbulent stint. His departure followed a comprehensive review of the 2025 Test season. “I was there when Shag (Steve Hansen) and Fozzie (Ian Foster) were there holding the helm. Seeing it change to Razor’s agenda (Robertson), you could see there was a big difference,” Papali’i commented in an interview with 1News.
"People spoke up and they had to have a review. We followed that process... I don’t really want to speak too much on that. What happened, happened."
Despite the changes and challenges, Papali’i’s career continued to evolve. After a less visible role in the 2025 season, making only one appearance in a victorious series against France, he found redemption and renewed vigor under Jamie Joseph's leadership on the All Blacks XV’s European tour. “I really had a good relationship with Jamie Jo and I felt like I was back to my old self,” he revealed.
"I feel like I play better with the weight of being a leader. Going into the ABs XV, I got that role back again, the captaincy, and I took it with both hands. I enjoyed it and felt like I played well again. Everyone bought into the culture and it was a credit to Jamie Jo and the coaches."
Now a father, Papali’i is contemplating his future with a different lens. With two seasons left on his contract with New Zealand Rugby, his priorities are shifting towards family growth and the financial stability that might come from playing overseas. However, his roots and dedication to the All Blacks jersey remain strong. “I’ve been here for nine years or so. I have a lot of things in perspective now,” he stated. “I want to grow the family, and you hear a lot of people heading overseas to help their financial side out. This is home for me, where I grew up and I want to leave the jersey in a better place. I’m still weighing it up.”
This candid reflection from Papali’i not only highlights the personal impacts of high-level coaching changes but also underscores the ongoing challenges and considerations for elite athletes balancing professional commitments with personal growth and family responsibilities.
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Dalton Papali'i, the dynamic All Blacks and Blues openside flanker, has recently voiced a stark contrast in coaching styles between former All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and his predecessors. Robertson, who was ousted from his role last month midway through his tenure, brought a distinct approach to the helm, which was quite different from what players experienced under Ian Foster and Steve Hansen. Papali’i, gearing up to lead the Blues in their upcoming Super Rugby Pacific clash at Eden Park, shed some light on this coaching shake-up.
Robertson, who succeeded Foster following the 2023 Rugby World Cup, had a brief and turbulent stint. His departure followed a comprehensive review of the 2025 Test season. “I was there when Shag (Steve Hansen) and Fozzie (Ian Foster) were there holding the helm. Seeing it change to Razor’s agenda (Robertson), you could see there was a big difference,” Papali’i commented in an interview with 1News.
"People spoke up and they had to have a review. We followed that process... I don’t really want to speak too much on that. What happened, happened."
Despite the changes and challenges, Papali’i’s career continued to evolve. After a less visible role in the 2025 season, making only one appearance in a victorious series against France, he found redemption and renewed vigor under Jamie Joseph's leadership on the All Blacks XV’s European tour. “I really had a good relationship with Jamie Jo and I felt like I was back to my old self,” he revealed.
"I feel like I play better with the weight of being a leader. Going into the ABs XV, I got that role back again, the captaincy, and I took it with both hands. I enjoyed it and felt like I played well again. Everyone bought into the culture and it was a credit to Jamie Jo and the coaches."
Now a father, Papali’i is contemplating his future with a different lens. With two seasons left on his contract with New Zealand Rugby, his priorities are shifting towards family growth and the financial stability that might come from playing overseas. However, his roots and dedication to the All Blacks jersey remain strong. “I’ve been here for nine years or so. I have a lot of things in perspective now,” he stated. “I want to grow the family, and you hear a lot of people heading overseas to help their financial side out. This is home for me, where I grew up and I want to leave the jersey in a better place. I’m still weighing it up.”
This candid reflection from Papali’i not only highlights the personal impacts of high-level coaching changes but also underscores the ongoing challenges and considerations for elite athletes balancing professional commitments with personal growth and family responsibilities.