Richie McCaw confident All Blacks can reclaim top spot under Scott Robertson

Robertson replaced Ian Foster as New Zealand's head coach after they suffered a narrow defeat to their arch rivals South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final in France.

Under Robertson's guidance, the All Blacks won 10 out of 14 Tests in 2024 as they suffered back-to-back defeats against the Springboks in the Rugby Championship and to Argentina in that tournament, while they also lost narrowly to France in the Autumn Nations Series.

McCaw, who captained New Zealand during triumphant Rugby World Cup campaigns in 2011 and 2015, expects the All Blacks to be better prepared in 2025 and to improve their fortunes in the Test arena.

"Last year you would say everyone had a good learning - it was a pretty good year by and large, but there are things they would learn from," he told Newstalk ZB.

"No matter what you did beforehand, international level is different.

"With another year gone they will be even better prepared and know what they are in for."

The 44-year-old, who made 148 Test appearances for his country and captained them in 110 of those, put some pressure on Robertson and the All Blacks by saying New Zealand possess some of the world's most talented rugby players.

"If you look at the talent across New Zealand, all the Super teams that funnel into the All Blacks, we are still in pretty good shape, there's no reason why we can't expect performances at the top level and knock most or all of the teams off," explained McCaw.

"There's no reason why we can't, I think."

McCaw is excited by Moana Pasifika's prospects in Super Rugby Pacific and feels recruiting All Blacks back-row star Ardie Savea will be a tremendous boost for the Auckland-based franchise.

"I hear the support of the team where they are based is only growing, they've got pretty smart people overseeing it," he said.

"Getting a guy like Ardie as captain is a big statement for them."

READ MORE: The walking wounded - Sharks provide update on injured Springboks