June 6, 2025 • 13 mins
Newly appointed Black Caps head coach Rob Walter is confident he can encourage non-contracted players to appear in key matches for New Zealand.
Top talent such as Kane Williamson and Trent Boult have rejected national contracts in favour of lucrative T-20 franchise opportunities around the globe.
Walter wants to give the elite echelon the freedom to do both – but with the Black Cap always coming first.
He joined Jason Pine to discuss his plans for the role, and what he hopes to achieve.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks edb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Why of the grease Taylor whips it away on the
on side out towards the boundary. It's going away for
four and New Zealand have won. The team in the
dressing room are celebrating stand tall for the black Caps
salutes the first ever World Test Championship winners. Our team
is at the top of the world, a title they
(00:34):
richly deserve and it'll be an emotional moment for them.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Heyare the undoubted high point of Gary Stead's seven year
tenure as black Caps cricket coach, the World Test Championship
win in twenty twenty one. But now there is a
new man at the helm. Rob Walter appointed as new
black Caps head coach through until the end of twenty
twenty eight. He's previously been head coach of both the
(00:58):
Otago Volts and the Central Stags, winning silverware with both provinces.
He also coached the men's New Zealand a squad in
India in twenty twenty two, and was most recently the
head coach of South Africa's men's white ball teams. Rob
Walter is with us on the weekends. Boar, Congratulations on
the appointment.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Rob.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
First of all, what sort of shape do you perceive
the black Caps are in as you take over as
their head coach?
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Thanks? So I appreciate that, Jason.
Speaker 5 (01:29):
Look, I suppose results really speak for themselves. I think
Garry's an amazing job to leave the team in a
great position. I've done some pretty iconic things in the
last six years. So yeah, from my point of view,
the teams in a really good space and really people
for me to come in and see how I can
(01:51):
add a little bit to that and really build on
the momentum that's already there.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
And I guess that is a nice lead in to
my next question, because if the team was a dumpster fire,
are complete shambles, you'd come in and you'd be a
mister fix it. But that's, I guess not really what
you need to do here. So how will you approach
it and and put your own stamp on it without
you know, undoing you know a lot of the good
work that has already been done.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
I think it's exactly that.
Speaker 5 (02:19):
I think it's to come in and uh, you know,
obviously I know a number of the players relatively well.
I know the system relatively well, but I think you
only really appreciate, fully appreciate, you know, what's going on
internally when you when you're in the shoes. So just
allow myself the time to do that and to observe
(02:39):
and connect with, you know, with the players and and
see how they operate and really, you know internally what
has made them so strong over the last you know,
a little while without sort of scarizing it myself and
having prepared to play against them at at international level.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
And then once that becomes.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Clear, is just to be aware of, you know, what
are the little things that I can bring that will
you know, hopefully take the team to the next level.
And you have you have an idea in your mind
as to what that might be, but I think you
only truly know when you when you're when you're on
the tools.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Do you have an overriding coaching philosophy.
Speaker 5 (03:19):
Yeah, I think probably a few things that make it up,
But firstly and most importantly, I would asked to see
my job is fundamentally to create the best, you know,
the best environment for for players to thrive in and
play the best kid for their country. So you know,
there's an element of support in that and there's an
element of challenge when required, and that's built really on
(03:42):
some relationships. And you know, you can only truly influence
someone if there's a there's a relationship of trust there,
so to build, you know, to build a relationship, to
build of trust and and be in a position to
help grow people's games. And growth can either be just
being more consistent with the strength or adding a few
things to the boat. But yeah, I mean that would
(04:04):
be my fundamental philosophy. Aren't coaching at.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
The elite level, the elite international level, which is obviously
what this is, and even at the other levels you've coached,
you know, first class, et cetera. How much technical coaching
are you die presume you're not not teaching guys how
to play a better cover drive or or to bowl
a better and swinger or are you.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
I guess depends at what level. You know, at provincial level,
you've probably got a spectrum of experience and young, very
young guys coming in who probably just learning about themselves
in their game, and then the game will challenge them
and and you know, push them to improve their games
or understand how to improve their games, and your more
(04:47):
experienced campaigner who who's probably become aware of hard to
delivery performance. But as you know, sort of you know,
performance ebbs and flows, and there's often a lot of
work to be done there at international level. You know,
obviously you have your specialists. Who are your technicians, do
you know, spend a great deal of time with the
(05:07):
guys on their skills specifically and and and obviously to dip.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Into the space of performance. This largely is mental.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
So for me, it's really managing the process of performance
and understanding what each person might require. Will you will
you be picking covered drives? Probably not most of the time,
but as I said, you know, I think pick keep.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Into guys games.
Speaker 5 (05:30):
It's my job to be aware along with the support
stuff as to what that might be and just been
sure that every time you run out onto the park.
As for the black Caps, you you're in the piece,
the best position to perform and you've been given the
best sciance and paceful to do that.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
It's an ever changing cricketing landscape, as we know, with
more and more players turning down central contracts. How will
you navigate the the ever changing cricketing landscape as it
relates to the black Caps.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
I mean, I suppose you're you're points have added one
and that it's changing all the time and pretty quickly,
and so it's real. It's really important for us to
be flexible and just to be looking to evolve and
even be the end of the evolution. And what is
obvious is that the cricket will it is very different
now to what it was, and our understanding of of
things needs to change and and be cognizant of that.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
And obviously the leagues or or a big full factor.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
But yeah, you know, you you still want to believe
that playing for the black Caps is the pinnacle and
priority for everyone. You know, it's our job to ensure
that that's other players skill and coming back to players
to get for the black Caps is something is the priority,
which is in the case now, it's work hard to
maintain that understanding that there's you know, that's the reality
(06:51):
around the financial pulls towards league ticket and you're.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Not gonna you're not going to be able to over.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Throw that and you really have to coexist rather than resist.
And so yeah, getting that balance right will obviously be tough.
It's un own territory, so we have to be really
expectable with that. But as I said, you know, maintaining
the culture, which there's a black comes first, and players
really want to be part of that.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
To that point, then will you look to give selection
preference to your centrally contracted players.
Speaker 5 (07:26):
I don't necessarily think that has to be the case.
I mean, obviously the centrally contracted players have submitted themselves
to playing for New Zealand and we respect that, and
the guys that haven't obviously do that for various reasons.
You know, so yes, priority will be given to them
in a manner, but making sure that, as I said,
that we stay flexible and that we understand the landscape
(07:51):
and we try and manage it.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
And I think you said you've been figured.
Speaker 5 (07:54):
I've really been at the forefront of trying to manage
you know what contracting can potentially look like in the
stiture with the you know, the creation of the casual
playing contracts and those so you know, those are contracts
in a man and we've seen over the last twelve
at months sety three different players have been used.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
So it's inevitable that players will be picked out of
the side of the contract.
Speaker 5 (08:17):
Group know whether that's down into the domestic space or guys.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
But outside of that.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
I mean that remains to be seen, but certainly be
hot to acknowledge the people who were committed in a
way saying for the black Caps, one of.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
The criticisms aimed most often at your predecessor, Gary Stead
was he was too loyal to certain players. What is
your general philosophy, rob on selection and striking the balance
between loyalty and making change when it's needed.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
Yeah, I really think it's you know, at the end
of the day, if you look back and you look
at the results, to be hard press to criticize, but
I do understand that comes with the territory. I think
from a players point of view, you always want to
look in front of you and see yourself being backed.
You appy to see other players getting back, knowing that
(09:11):
when your turn comes to du you know you have
the same great givens you. The game is a tough
one at times and inconsistency is part of it. So
I think you're understanding that, and then the balance is
also understanding that performance is important. It is a game
of performance. Ultimately, we compete to win and understanding how
(09:32):
we you know the team together in order to give
us the best chances is important. But I don't think
you lose out of out of really backing guys and
and and sticking with them for a period of time.
And you know how long is too long? Well, you
know how long we pissed the string ultimately a speech
coast to decide what they look like and really make
(09:52):
the best decision for the team at the end of
the day, which is which is fundamentally what you're doing.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Jial and Cricket have obviously made the decision to keep
one coach over both or rather all three formats, both
color balls. Uh do you have a view on on
splitting the red and white ball responsibilities. I mean, were
you always keen on doing all three?
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Yeah? Absolutely I was. I mean really a purist of
the game at heart, so I have a huge respect
for the for test figures. You know, it is the
toughest sporting coat in the world I reckon in terms
of requirements, so nothing.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
Quite like it.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
So, as I said, really, you know, the opportunity to
do both formats of the game was an awesome.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Dal guide to the job.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
Absolutely, you know, I think from a split coaching point
of view, I don't think you can throw a blanket
over over whether it's rights or wrong, because I don't
think that's the case. I think you've got to sort
of acknowledge his environment weekly and decide what's best. And
in this instance of his news even Peter started that
that single coaches is the best way forward given the
(11:07):
the landscape of cricket and the player turnover given you know,
given the franchise league, except for et cetera, I think
it is beneficial to have one leadership figure who's sort
of managing the whole process, and then obviously behavior assisted
way supports staff when needs be.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
In cricket, obviously the coach captain relationship is probably more
important than it is in a lot of other sports.
How important will it be that you forge good relationships
with Red Bull captain Tom Latham and your white ball
skipper Mitchell Center.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
Ah? Yeah, I mean it's really a non negotiable at
the end of the day.
Speaker 5 (11:44):
You know, the decision making importance of the skiff is
huge and their influence in the team is massive, and
out on the field, you know they're doing ninety five
percent of the decision making and the work. So it's
fairly to understand how we operate together. How can our
best support the captains to give you ultimately gives them
(12:06):
then put him in the best position you know to
deliver for the team. So your relationships so important that
everyone and players and everyone you know. So but as
you say, the skippers, ultimately you know they really are
important to the way everything runs. And so making sure
(12:28):
that ours are really good.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
I give them great clarity. They are plars do to
do where I.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
Stand and what I think and then deflectively as a
collaborative units going to make the best.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Team out there.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
All right, So just to finish, you're ready for the
increased spotlight that comes with us role. I mean, obviously
you had the South Africa means white ball teams and
they love their cricket in South Africa. You've done provincial
cricket here, but there's nothing like a national coach to
get the talk back lines ringing, Rob.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
Yeah. I mean, as you said, unfortunately, I have the
you know, the experience of South Africa under the belt,
fully understands what comes with what the gig and fully
understands you know, the responsibilities of us. I mean the
you know, the s whattlight as you call it, is
always going to be there as all opinions be.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
And that's part of it, and it's all you know.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
It doesn't detract from the from the one, the responsibility,
but two opportunities.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
We'll congrats Rob on being a pointed black Caps coach.
Look forward to chatting often over the next few years.
Thanks for your time this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
I look forward to take it now.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
You take it to Rob. Thanks and day. That's Rob
Walter Bland, new black Caps coach.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to news talks it'd be weekends from mid day, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalks edb.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Why of the grease Taylor whips it away on the
on side out towards the boundary. It's going away for
four and New Zealand have won. The team in the
dressing room are celebrating stand tall for the black Caps
salutes the first ever World Test Championship winners. Our team
is at the top of the world, a title they
(00:34):
richly deserve and it'll be an emotional moment for them.
Speaker 3 (00:38):
Heyare the undoubted high point of Gary Stead's seven year
tenure as black Caps cricket coach, the World Test Championship
win in twenty twenty one. But now there is a
new man at the helm. Rob Walter appointed as new
black Caps head coach through until the end of twenty
twenty eight. He's previously been head coach of both the
(00:58):
Otago Volts and the Central Stags, winning silverware with both provinces.
He also coached the men's New Zealand a squad in
India in twenty twenty two, and was most recently the
head coach of South Africa's men's white ball teams. Rob
Walter is with us on the weekends. Boar, Congratulations on
the appointment.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Rob.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
First of all, what sort of shape do you perceive
the black Caps are in as you take over as
their head coach?
Speaker 4 (01:26):
Thanks? So I appreciate that, Jason.
Speaker 5 (01:29):
Look, I suppose results really speak for themselves. I think
Garry's an amazing job to leave the team in a
great position. I've done some pretty iconic things in the
last six years. So yeah, from my point of view,
the teams in a really good space and really people
for me to come in and see how I can
(01:51):
add a little bit to that and really build on
the momentum that's already there.
Speaker 3 (01:56):
And I guess that is a nice lead in to
my next question, because if the team was a dumpster fire,
are complete shambles, you'd come in and you'd be a
mister fix it. But that's, I guess not really what
you need to do here. So how will you approach
it and and put your own stamp on it without
you know, undoing you know a lot of the good
work that has already been done.
Speaker 4 (02:17):
I think it's exactly that.
Speaker 5 (02:19):
I think it's to come in and uh, you know,
obviously I know a number of the players relatively well.
I know the system relatively well, but I think you
only really appreciate, fully appreciate, you know, what's going on
internally when you when you're in the shoes. So just
allow myself the time to do that and to observe
(02:39):
and connect with, you know, with the players and and
see how they operate and really, you know internally what
has made them so strong over the last you know,
a little while without sort of scarizing it myself and
having prepared to play against them at at international level.
Speaker 4 (02:55):
And then once that becomes.
Speaker 5 (02:56):
Clear, is just to be aware of, you know, what
are the little things that I can bring that will
you know, hopefully take the team to the next level.
And you have you have an idea in your mind
as to what that might be, but I think you
only truly know when you when you're when you're on
the tools.
Speaker 3 (03:13):
Do you have an overriding coaching philosophy.
Speaker 5 (03:19):
Yeah, I think probably a few things that make it up,
But firstly and most importantly, I would asked to see
my job is fundamentally to create the best, you know,
the best environment for for players to thrive in and
play the best kid for their country. So you know,
there's an element of support in that and there's an
element of challenge when required, and that's built really on
(03:42):
some relationships. And you know, you can only truly influence
someone if there's a there's a relationship of trust there,
so to build, you know, to build a relationship, to
build of trust and and be in a position to
help grow people's games. And growth can either be just
being more consistent with the strength or adding a few
things to the boat. But yeah, I mean that would
(04:04):
be my fundamental philosophy. Aren't coaching at.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
The elite level, the elite international level, which is obviously
what this is, and even at the other levels you've coached,
you know, first class, et cetera. How much technical coaching
are you die presume you're not not teaching guys how
to play a better cover drive or or to bowl
a better and swinger or are you.
Speaker 5 (04:27):
I guess depends at what level. You know, at provincial level,
you've probably got a spectrum of experience and young, very
young guys coming in who probably just learning about themselves
in their game, and then the game will challenge them
and and you know, push them to improve their games
or understand how to improve their games, and your more
(04:47):
experienced campaigner who who's probably become aware of hard to
delivery performance. But as you know, sort of you know,
performance ebbs and flows, and there's often a lot of
work to be done there at international level. You know,
obviously you have your specialists. Who are your technicians, do
you know, spend a great deal of time with the
(05:07):
guys on their skills specifically and and and obviously to dip.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Into the space of performance. This largely is mental.
Speaker 5 (05:17):
So for me, it's really managing the process of performance
and understanding what each person might require. Will you will
you be picking covered drives? Probably not most of the time,
but as I said, you know, I think pick keep.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Into guys games.
Speaker 5 (05:30):
It's my job to be aware along with the support
stuff as to what that might be and just been
sure that every time you run out onto the park.
As for the black Caps, you you're in the piece,
the best position to perform and you've been given the
best sciance and paceful to do that.
Speaker 3 (05:47):
It's an ever changing cricketing landscape, as we know, with
more and more players turning down central contracts. How will
you navigate the the ever changing cricketing landscape as it
relates to the black Caps.
Speaker 5 (06:01):
I mean, I suppose you're you're points have added one
and that it's changing all the time and pretty quickly,
and so it's real. It's really important for us to
be flexible and just to be looking to evolve and
even be the end of the evolution. And what is
obvious is that the cricket will it is very different
now to what it was, and our understanding of of
things needs to change and and be cognizant of that.
Speaker 4 (06:25):
And obviously the leagues or or a big full factor.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
But yeah, you know, you you still want to believe
that playing for the black Caps is the pinnacle and
priority for everyone. You know, it's our job to ensure
that that's other players skill and coming back to players
to get for the black Caps is something is the priority,
which is in the case now, it's work hard to
maintain that understanding that there's you know, that's the reality
(06:51):
around the financial pulls towards league ticket and you're.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
Not gonna you're not going to be able to over.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Throw that and you really have to coexist rather than resist.
And so yeah, getting that balance right will obviously be tough.
It's un own territory, so we have to be really
expectable with that. But as I said, you know, maintaining
the culture, which there's a black comes first, and players
really want to be part of that.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
To that point, then will you look to give selection
preference to your centrally contracted players.
Speaker 5 (07:26):
I don't necessarily think that has to be the case.
I mean, obviously the centrally contracted players have submitted themselves
to playing for New Zealand and we respect that, and
the guys that haven't obviously do that for various reasons.
You know, so yes, priority will be given to them
in a manner, but making sure that, as I said,
that we stay flexible and that we understand the landscape
(07:51):
and we try and manage it.
Speaker 4 (07:52):
And I think you said you've been figured.
Speaker 5 (07:54):
I've really been at the forefront of trying to manage
you know what contracting can potentially look like in the
stiture with the you know, the creation of the casual
playing contracts and those so you know, those are contracts
in a man and we've seen over the last twelve
at months sety three different players have been used.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
So it's inevitable that players will be picked out of
the side of the contract.
Speaker 5 (08:17):
Group know whether that's down into the domestic space or guys.
Speaker 4 (08:21):
But outside of that.
Speaker 5 (08:22):
I mean that remains to be seen, but certainly be
hot to acknowledge the people who were committed in a
way saying for the black Caps, one of.
Speaker 3 (08:31):
The criticisms aimed most often at your predecessor, Gary Stead
was he was too loyal to certain players. What is
your general philosophy, rob on selection and striking the balance
between loyalty and making change when it's needed.
Speaker 5 (08:49):
Yeah, I really think it's you know, at the end
of the day, if you look back and you look
at the results, to be hard press to criticize, but
I do understand that comes with the territory. I think
from a players point of view, you always want to
look in front of you and see yourself being backed.
You appy to see other players getting back, knowing that
(09:11):
when your turn comes to du you know you have
the same great givens you. The game is a tough
one at times and inconsistency is part of it. So
I think you're understanding that, and then the balance is
also understanding that performance is important. It is a game
of performance. Ultimately, we compete to win and understanding how
(09:32):
we you know the team together in order to give
us the best chances is important. But I don't think
you lose out of out of really backing guys and
and and sticking with them for a period of time.
And you know how long is too long? Well, you
know how long we pissed the string ultimately a speech
coast to decide what they look like and really make
(09:52):
the best decision for the team at the end of
the day, which is which is fundamentally what you're doing.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
Jial and Cricket have obviously made the decision to keep
one coach over both or rather all three formats, both
color balls. Uh do you have a view on on
splitting the red and white ball responsibilities. I mean, were
you always keen on doing all three?
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Yeah? Absolutely I was. I mean really a purist of
the game at heart, so I have a huge respect
for the for test figures. You know, it is the
toughest sporting coat in the world I reckon in terms
of requirements, so nothing.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
Quite like it.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
So, as I said, really, you know, the opportunity to
do both formats of the game was an awesome.
Speaker 4 (10:42):
Dal guide to the job.
Speaker 5 (10:43):
Absolutely, you know, I think from a split coaching point
of view, I don't think you can throw a blanket
over over whether it's rights or wrong, because I don't
think that's the case. I think you've got to sort
of acknowledge his environment weekly and decide what's best. And
in this instance of his news even Peter started that
that single coaches is the best way forward given the
(11:07):
the landscape of cricket and the player turnover given you know,
given the franchise league, except for et cetera, I think
it is beneficial to have one leadership figure who's sort
of managing the whole process, and then obviously behavior assisted
way supports staff when needs be.
Speaker 3 (11:25):
In cricket, obviously the coach captain relationship is probably more
important than it is in a lot of other sports.
How important will it be that you forge good relationships
with Red Bull captain Tom Latham and your white ball
skipper Mitchell Center.
Speaker 4 (11:41):
Ah? Yeah, I mean it's really a non negotiable at
the end of the day.
Speaker 5 (11:44):
You know, the decision making importance of the skiff is
huge and their influence in the team is massive, and
out on the field, you know they're doing ninety five
percent of the decision making and the work. So it's
fairly to understand how we operate together. How can our
best support the captains to give you ultimately gives them
(12:06):
then put him in the best position you know to
deliver for the team. So your relationships so important that
everyone and players and everyone you know. So but as
you say, the skippers, ultimately you know they really are
important to the way everything runs. And so making sure
(12:28):
that ours are really good.
Speaker 4 (12:30):
I give them great clarity. They are plars do to
do where I.
Speaker 5 (12:35):
Stand and what I think and then deflectively as a
collaborative units going to make the best.
Speaker 4 (12:42):
Team out there.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
All right, So just to finish, you're ready for the
increased spotlight that comes with us role. I mean, obviously
you had the South Africa means white ball teams and
they love their cricket in South Africa. You've done provincial
cricket here, but there's nothing like a national coach to
get the talk back lines ringing, Rob.
Speaker 5 (13:03):
Yeah. I mean, as you said, unfortunately, I have the
you know, the experience of South Africa under the belt,
fully understands what comes with what the gig and fully
understands you know, the responsibilities of us. I mean the
you know, the s whattlight as you call it, is
always going to be there as all opinions be.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
And that's part of it, and it's all you know.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
It doesn't detract from the from the one, the responsibility,
but two opportunities.
Speaker 3 (13:31):
We'll congrats Rob on being a pointed black Caps coach.
Look forward to chatting often over the next few years.
Thanks for your time this afternoon.
Speaker 4 (13:39):
I look forward to take it now.
Speaker 3 (13:41):
You take it to Rob. Thanks and day. That's Rob
Walter Bland, new black Caps coach.
Speaker 1 (13:47):
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