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'It needs to happen quickly': Foster concedes All Blacks have to lift
By AAP
Embattled All Blacks coach Ian Foster admits time is running out for his team to start winning consistently after they endured a first-ever home soil loss to Argentina to continue their dismal run of form.
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The defeat to Michael Cheika’s team in Christchurch on Saturday night was the sixth in eight Tests for the three-time world champions and has reignited scrutiny of Foster after a brief reprieve following their win over South Africa in Johannesburg two weeks ago.
“When you’re trying to build something a little different it takes a while and it’s pretty frustrating, isn’t it?” Foster told reporters on Sunday.
“It’s frustrating I’m sure for the viewers and the fans and it’s frustrating for us.
“But we have got a lot of faith that some of the things we’re building are paying dividends. But it needs to happen quickly and we know that.”
New Zealand meet Argentina again in Hamilton on Saturday with New Zealand at risk of an unprecedented second home series defeat in a row following their 2-1 loss against Ireland earlier in the year.
The All Blacks lost their final two matches of 2021 against Ireland and France before suffering those two defeats against the Irish in New Zealand.
They then lost against South Africa in their RugbyChampionship opener earlier this month before beating the Springboks at Ellis Park a week later.
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After the next Argentina clash they will be defending the Bledisloe Cup in two Tests against the Wallabies.
The run of losses has so far resulted in some key changes among Foster’s coaching staff.
“We’re all hurting too, none of us like losing,” said Foster.
“I guess the flipside of it is that everyone’s aware that we’re putting some new players in some areas, we’re trying to grow parts of our game that we think we’ve struggled with.
“We were quite rightly criticised last year for being beat up up front in certain games and we’ve made big shifts in that.
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“But we’ve got to put all those learnings into one game and we showed that we can do it in South Africa and we’ve got to do it again in Hamilton.”
Foster also offered his support to under-fire All Blacks captain Sam Cane who was substituted late in Saturday’s game.
“Clearly he’s under the spotlight, we’re all under the spotlight when things don’t go well. But behind the scenes, he’s strong,” he said.
“I thought a lot of his tackle and work around the breakdown was a big shift up from the last two games and we’re pleased with that.”
Quote by Foster'We're putting some new players in some areas... ' Steven Perofeta I.e. New players gets 50bseconds for his debut. Say no more
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 TEAM, THE COUNTRY, PLEASE RESIGN, NOW!!!!!!
Time for the players to take ownership of their performances. We need a captain who leads and players will follow. Cane and Foster are nice guys, but their performances are not good enough.
Put the players on a performance based salary.
Bring in Robertson as coach.
Find a new hooker. Cole and Taylor are not what they were.
Scott Barrett is the only Barrett trio worth keeping.
Where are our old style number 7s and 6s?
Get a performance physcologist to clear the muddled thinking of our players.
I am sick of being told to be patient, we are rebuilding etc. six losses from the last eight tests is termination data for Foster.
Well, that’s my rant.
Graeme
If Rugby NZ would have appointed Scott Robertson with his right hand Jason Ryan as ABs coach and Sam Whitelock as captain in 2019, I don't think ABs wouldn't be in that mess as they are now...just saying.
What a load of tripe from Foster - “we are rebuilding” “we are learning” - last 20 mins of game ABs clueless
Everyone raves about Caleb Clarke. But the truth is, he let in two tries in two weeks, one a missed tackle, the second when he stood back and watched the Argentinian forward come charging around the lineout. He should have been standing deeper. An old style coach would have given him his marching orders - "out for a spell". But good 'ol Ian just sighs "ah me, ah my, what to do?"
I just read on another site where Foster "pleads for support" from fans.
I can only hope he was misquoted.
When in the history of NZ rugby has a coach "pleaded" for public support of the mistakes he made?
If Foster had any integrity he would have recognised the win at Ellis Pk was fortunate by any measure, and fallen on one of the many swords on offer.
Furthermore, a coach who knew his stuff would dismiss "player support" as a vested interest and made the hard selectorial decisions.
Looking forward to a Head Office clean out, after the Board has gone.
Is there any "rugby" intelligence on the Board?