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All Blacks announce new coaching changes as assistants let go

(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The All Blacks have announced a host of changes to the coaching group ahead of the start of the team’s tough start to the Rugby Championship campaign in South Africa.

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After the 2-1 series loss to Ireland in the Steinlager Series, pressure has been mounting on New Zealand Rugby to make changes after losing four of the last five test matches.

The axe has fallen on assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar who have now parted ways, stepping down from their roles with the All Blacks.

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Former Hurricanes head coach Plumtree was the forwards coach while former Crusaders assistant Mooar was in charge of the backs.

Foster thanked the pair for their ‘enormous’ contributions to the team and their hard work.

“Right now, I am really feeling for two fine men who are great rugby coaches that made an enormous contribution to the All Blacks,” Foster said in a statement released by NZR.

“I have no doubt both coaches will go on to great success and I want to thank them for their hard work.”

Replacing Plumtree will be Crusaders forward coach Jason Ryan, who has been an integral part of Scott Robertson’s championship-winning coaching group.

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Ryan also impressed as the Fiji forwards coach when the side took on the All Blacks last July. He will join the team in camp next week.

“Jason is a proven performer with plenty of experience at international level,” said Foster.

“Last year we witnessed first-hand the impact he has made on Fiji’s forwards, adding to his continual growth as the forwards coach of the Crusaders. His appointment now is clearly with an eye to the future and to the Rugby World Cup 2023.”

There is no direct replacement for Mooar however Ian Foster has decided to take over the backs group in the interim, while Joe Schmidt will start his new role as a selector having decided to delay his start date until after Ireland’s tour.

However, the former Ireland head coach will take on extra duties by assisting Foster on the overall strategy and attack play as well as provide analysis to the playing group.

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Comments

13 Comments
s
spencer 831 days ago

Foster has thrown them under the bus what a complete moron Hes the head coach and ultimately the Buck stops with him.

s
spencer 831 days ago

oster

s
steve 831 days ago

Did anyone see the absolute smug, absolute arrogance of the hopless, hapless Foster interview that he gave online after the Rugby Union scyophants had given him the nod that they were keeping him on.
"As far as Foster was concerned it was about the TEAM not performing."
Our Rugby Union have demonstrated to the NZ rugby public that they along with Foster are completely unfit for purpose.
After the woeful tour of Europe last year, every man and his dog could see that Foster wasn't up to the task, yet, even after a review, the secret hand shake mob of the Rugby Union kept him on.
Likewise, the other ARSE LICK. RS of the media; especially THE Break Down and mouthie Jeff Wilson, cannot be honest and expose the continued failings.

M
Michael 831 days ago

This decision defies logic.
If the assistant coaches are not doing their job, then it follows that the "Boss" isn't doing his job either - So should be going as well.....surely

G
Graeme 831 days ago

Turned informant & got immunity.

M
Mihai 832 days ago

Razor won the Super Rugby title with what I thought was the third best roster in the competition; he obviously understands what NZR doesn't.
I think both he and NZR know that, therefore I am not optimistic that he will be the post-World Cup AB coach. For that to happen, NZR would need a fundamental refresh first, and I am not too optimistic about this either.

A
Another 832 days ago

I guess the cost of severance for two coaches amounts to the same cost of hiring a new one.

D
Delaney 832 days ago

Oh well,, two better than none ,I guess sadly razor gets over looked again,Hopefully it Can't get any worse , good lux ,, too the boys ,and the new coaching staff, I know we can't win them all ,, but we will learn and adapt and conquer the world these loses are in our DNA now , and I can't wait for the next generation too stand up and kick ass .

B
Bruiser 832 days ago

The Imposter is still there

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AM 37 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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