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All Blacks coaches butted heads over 'dumb' and 'ridiculous' selection of Rieko Ioane
Newly released Amazon Prime Video documentary series ‘All or Nothing: New Zealand All Blacks‘ has given fans an unprecedented behind the scenes look they have never had before.
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The six-part series has revealed that the coaches of the back-to-back World Cup winning side aren’t always in sync.
The selection of winger Rieko Ioane for the opening test against the British and Irish Lions last year was a real head-scratcher at first for Assistant Coach Ian Foster, who initially described the thought of picking the 20-year-old as “dumb” and “ridiculous”.
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Foster couldn’t believe Steve Hansen’s suggestion of swapping Julian Savea to the right wing to allow for Ioane to make his first international start on the left wing just days out from kickoff.
This type of debate should be fairly common at the top level of rugby, but it’s the conversation between Hansen and Foster during a training session that stands out.
“Can we swap those two wingers over?” Hansen asks Foster during a training session.
“What do you mean?” Foster replies.
“Wise [Waisake Naholo] and Julian play on the right and he plays on the left,” says Hansen.
“It’s a dumb call today. I think it’s a ridiculous idea,” Foster says.
“I couldn’t tell you if he’s [presumably Savea or Naholo] a good right wing – it’s a completely different picture.”
Hansen says “Have a look and see what you think. Be open. If it doesn’t work, change it.”
Foster tells Savea, “Jules, change wings,” which effectively marked the end of Julian Savea’s reign in the No. 11 jersey.
Ioane backed up Hansen’s decision after scoring two tries in the test and eventually earning the title of World Rugby’s breakout player of the year.
This exchange gives insight into the relationship of the coaching pair, with both also commenting on said relationship in the documentary.
“Fozzie’s [Foster] the yin to my yang I suppose,” Hansen says. “He’s very thoughtful whereas at times I can be a little bit impulsive.”
Foster says: “You always say you’ve got an equal vote but his [Hansen’s] is 51 percent and it didn’t sound like a great idea days before one of the biggest tests we’ve had.”
Ioane has now played 13 tests for the All Blacks, with 11 tries to his name.
He will suit up again and look to add to that total when the All Blacks take on France at Eden Park next weekend.
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