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'Destroy all hope': Another Pumas loss would be the 'end of the line' for Foster
By AAP
Less than two weeks after a ringing endorsement from New Zealand Rugby (NZR), All Blacks coach Ian Foster is under renewed pressure following a third successive home loss this season.
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Foster was confirmed as coach through to next year’s World Cup in the wake of victory over South Africa at Ellis Park, but a first ever home defeat to Argentina in Christchurch has again set alarm bells ringing.
New Zealand media on Monday said another loss to the Pumas in Hamilton on Saturday should be “the end of the line” for Foster.
“One more loss and Hamilton, for the sake of a legacy 120 years in the making, has to be the terminus,” rugby writer Gregor Paul wrote in the New Zealand Herald.
“Everyone knows that defeat this week will destroy all hope, make it impossible to keep talking about micro improvements in skill execution while lamenting macro failures in decision-making.”
While Foster has been spared the axe, NZR have repeatedly shaken up his staff, sacking two assistant coaches after the home series defeat to Ireland, while bringing in a new forwards coach and selector Joe Schmidt as attack coach and strategist.
NZR seized upon the rousing win at Ellis Park as evidence the changes were working but the Christchurch shock further eroded fans’ confidence in the team.
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Until last Saturday’s clash, the All Blacks had never lost three successive home Tests in their 119-year history.
Their tally of four losses for the season so far has been surpassed only twice, in 1998 when they lost five under former coach John Hart, and in 1949 when they were defeated six times.
With two Rugby Championship Tests against Australia and away matches against Japan, Wales, Scotland and England to round out the season, more unwanted history could be in store.
“But we have got a lot of faith that some of the things we’re building are paying dividends,” Foster said.
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Veteran All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock said better execution in Hamilton could right the ship.
“We have to make sure that we are taking every opportunity we get, and with Test match rugby you might only get one or two in a game,” he said.
“It’s something I know we’ll have a good look at over the next couple of days.”
Man look at that photo of Codie Taylor and Fozzie. Looks like Taylor does not like him one bit.
Foster should have been replaced a long time ago, or even better not appointed in 2019 for start. you have to go with the times, modern, different play styles and not not sticking with the same old, same old. As Jase Ryan is there already, add Razor Scott Robertson and you will see a change very soon.
Colin, the AB’s struggle to win WC’s has seen them win almost at will during the four years between even cups only to lose at the sharp end of the tournament. They were lucky to beat a very mediocre French team by one point to win the cup in NZ for the second time. They have only won one cup outside of NZ. Their style of play doesn’t suit knock out rugby and games like SA in Bombela and Argentine are virtually cup finals because of the previous poor results. If they really don’t care win or lose but just go out to play they will dare much better. For the AB’s and the Boks their greatest enemy is their fear of losing.
Loss to Japan......Loss to Scotland. Loss of our beloved team :-{ its nice for everyone else I guess. I do wonder if the laws of the modern game have been designed in a way that the All Black way of playing just does not work anymore. Get Razor in there and see if its a culture and coaching issue or something much deeper.