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Thorne backs Robertson for All Blacks role

Cape Town - Former All Blacks flanker Reuben Thorne believes Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has all the attributes to coach the All Blacks.

Robertson led the Canterbury side to their first Super Rugby title since 2008 in his first year at the helm, becoming the first person in history to win the competition as both a player and a coach. 

The 42-year old also boasts three provincial titles with Canterbury and an Under 20s 2015 World Cup victory with New Zealand on his CV.

 Thorne told RadioLIVE's Sunday Sport that Robertson has the resume to one day coach the national side.

"I think giving what he has achieved this year and the last couple of years with Canterbury in the Mitre 10 Cup, he's certainly got the CV for it," Thorne said.

"I think he will want to get there one day, it's just a matter of when rather than if.

"But he loves the Crusaders and the environment he is in and he may be content growing and learning in that role for a few more years yet."

Thorne also believes this may have been their most difficult title to win, as no team had ever beaten South African opposition in a final hosted by a South African side.

"It has to be right up there in terms of the overall season and what they managed to do," he said.

"The Crusaders have done it in Australia, but to go that extra step to South Africa at Ellis Park at altitude is pretty significant."

The Crusaders won all but one match game this season, their only loss coming against the Hurricanes.

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