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It isn't Ian Foster in the cross hairs this weekend after shock loss
By Ian Cameron
New Zealand Rugby and not head coach Ian Foster are in the crosshairs on social media this weekend after the All Blacks‘ latest shock loss.
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Michael Cheika’s Argentina successfully raided Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch to grab a 25-18 Rugby Championship victory, their first on New Zealand soil.
The horror loss comes just days after the union committed themselves to Foster until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, giving the 57-year-old their ‘full support’.
NZR’s Board has given their full support to Ian Foster and his coaching group, which now includes Joe Schmidt on a full time basis. pic.twitter.com/bLqKnCZkib
— New Zealand Rugby (@NZRugby) August 17, 2022
Yet unlike previous weekends where Foster and Sam Cane were the focus of the public’s ire, this time it is the NZR who are taking flak for persisting with the under-pressure head coach.
Aussie journalist and broadcaster Christy Doran wrote: “Is it time to talk about Ian Foster again? Wow. Huge result brewing in ‘Razor’ country with Argentina leading the All Blacks in Christchurch 25-18 in 71st minute.”
Is it time to talk about Ian Foster again?
Wow.
Huge result brewing in ‘Razor’ country with Argentina leading the All Blacks in Christchurch 25-18 in 71st minute.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 27, 2022
South African journalist Brendan Nel posted: “Wonder how NZ is feeling about Ian Foster now?”
Wonder how nz is feeling about ian foster now?
— Brenden Nel (@Brendennel) August 27, 2022
Newstalk ZB journalist Reid Etherington observed: “As an Arsenal fan, I know exactly how All Blacks fans feel about Ian Foster. But I never want to relive that again. NZR really shot themselves in the foot here.”
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As an Arsenal fan, I know exactly how All Blacks fans feel about Ian Foster. But I never want to relive that again. NZR really shot themselves in the foot here
— Reid Etherington (@retherington98) August 27, 2022
Telegraph journalist Jamie Pandaram wrote: “Argentina defeat All Blacks for the first time in NZ, 25-18, right after Ian Foster is guaranteed his job until the 2023 World Cup. I restate my position, 2022 is the Wallabies’ best chance to win back the Bledisloe.”
Argentina defeat All Blacks for the first time in NZ, 25-18, right after Ian Foster is guaranteed his job until the 2023 World Cup. I restate my position, 2022 is the Wallabies' best chance to win back the Bledisloe
— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) August 27, 2022
Radio New Zealand’s Jamie Wall certainly didn’t mince his words: ‘SACK. THE. F***ING. BOARD.’
SACK. THE. FUCKING. BOARD.
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) August 27, 2022
Andrew Maseko was in agreement: “After this All Blacks loss, New Zealand Ruby Board should be fired. NZR picked Ian Foster as coach against wiser counsel, had a review after losses last year, kept him, a review after they lost the series to Ireland, kept him, had a review after the Bok loss and kept him.”
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After this @AllBlacks loss, New Zealand Ruby Board should be fired. NZR picked Ian Foster as coach against wiser counsel, had a review after losses last year, kept him, a review after they lost the series to Ireland, kept him, had a review after the Bok loss & kept him #NZLvARG
— Andrew Maseko (@NqobileMaseko) August 27, 2022
There were many others in a similar vein:
NZR board will be in Ubers to the airport about now #NZvARG
— Brian Ashby (@BrianAshby2) August 27, 2022
If what they say is true and the AB win and the senior players speaking up was the only thing that saved Foster then NZR Board should all resign immediately – disgraceful
— Frog the Keeper (@Frogthekeeper) August 27, 2022
Boy am I glad that we retained the Foster & Cane combo. Great call from NZR.
How you feeling silverlake?
— Aaron Bryant (@AaronIBryant) August 27, 2022
Thank you again to the NZR for keeping Ian Foster in his job ?? #NZLvARG
— Travis (@Travman6746) August 27, 2022
Hate to make it about the AB’s because the Pumas deserve all the credit. But surely Cane and Foster are cooked now. Poor blokes are going to be the scape goats. #NZLvARG
— Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) August 27, 2022
Japan Times journalist Dan Orlowitz asked: “Does Foster still have the full confidence of NZR after this?”
Does Foster still have the full confidence of NZR after this? https://t.co/qruM2VVVHo
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) August 27, 2022
It’s going to be another difficult week for everyone in the All Blacks camp and New Zealand Rugby but this time they don’t appear to have the option of switching things up in the coaching ticket.
MY selection 1 Lomax 2 Taukeaho 3 De Groute 4 S,Barret 5,Vai'i 6Frizel 7Savea 8 Situtu 9 Smith 10 Mounga 11 Clark 12 A Ioane 13 J Barret 14 Reece 15 Jordan
Akira Ioane someone who is strong with speed and can carry the ball over advantage line
This whole Foster situation is now beyond a joke. The man is obviously so pigheaded that he can't see the wood for the trees. Mr Foster, please do the right thing and resign. This is NOT about your reputation, it's about the jersey, the brand, the All Black legacy. You've been given multiple opportunities but it's still not working. The win last against a very average SA team was not your saving grace. FOR THE SAKE OF THE ALL BLACK LEGACY, THE COUNTRY, PLEASE RESIGN, NOW!!!!!!
It's probably time to not use the 'shock loss' tag, even the All Black team members interviewed after the game gave credit to the Argentinian's for playing the better game, which was not a common practice until recent years.
Whatever team sports psychology is practiced in the AB camp learning how to remain one of the top eight ranking teams and not the number one ranked side in the world seems to be the reality at least for now for the NZ coaching staff, ''the rugby world has caught up with NZ'' according to former AB captain Kieran Read, and what is amazing is that it has taken until now for some in the media to concede that publicly.
South Africa will feel a little more contented now that the All Blacks have become more like them as far as test match winning consistency is concerned, but the Bok's do tend to find their winning form when opposition teams least expect it, win or lose they play with an underlying confidence the AB's don't have at the moment.