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'It wasn't a derogatory comment at all' - Defence coach clarifies Ian Foster remarks
By Ian Cameron
New Zealand defence coach Scott McLeod has defended Ian Foster’s comments about Ireland’s attack that he says were taken out of context.
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Foster raised eyebrows with a remark in the aftermath of the All Blacks‘ 28-24 Rugby World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland in which he referred to Ireland’s attack as ‘cut and paste’.
Foster said in relation to Ireland’s late 37-phase attack – as they sought to snatch victory from the men in black- that they “were doing a cut-and-paste attack … the same sort of things. We were really patient with how we defended it.”
McLeod, who has been working to improve New Zealand defensive systems, clarified that the comment was not meant as a dig at Ireland.
“It wasn’t a derogatory comment at all. Cut-and-paste meant that they just kept running the same shape, the attack shape. They just kept trying to find a weakness in us, over and over and over again.
“They are one of the best attacking sides in the world. They make you make constant decisions and they test your execution. They just kept trying to run the same stuff against us and what I am saying is that I’m really proud that no one in our line really tried to win that on their own or win that moment on their own. They did it collectively, they stayed connected and they did what we trained and eventually we got the opportunity to turn the ball over.”
McLeod explained how the All Blacks in fact needed to go back to the drawing board on defence after realising that their defensive systems were falling behind that of European sides.
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“After the series loss at home last year [against Ireland] which really hurt, we had to have a really good look at some fundamentals in the defensive game for the All Blacks and a big part of that was in Super Rugby in New Zealand they tend to defend the man. So, they line up on a man and they defend the man. Whereas that doesn’t work against Ireland, it doesn’t work against Italy, it doesn’t work against France and we knew we had those teams more than likely in this World Cup.
“So, we had to develop our ability to be able to defend the ball. Wherever the ball is we had to put people in front of that.
“That was the most pleasing aspect, that we’ve built the players’ skillset from last year. That loss against Ireland and then the end of year tour and we’ve learned some really harsh lessons. Last night the majority of the time we got that right and we had to get that right against Ireland and the way they attack.
“We had to make 276 tackles last night and 100 of those were in the last quarter, and particularly in that last 37 phases. You know, the most we’ve had to make in this tournament, or attempt to make was 137 against Italy.
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“So, there’s a huge amount of care and a huge amount of ticker I guess, Kiwi ticker in you like, that we wanted to get the job done. I am really proud of our execution in that zone but also our decision-making. The ball wasn’t there to take a number of times and we had to wait for the moment and then execute really well. You know, Sam Whitelock put himself in the position twice to do that and so did Ardie [Savea] and we finally got it.
“We finally got it after that 37th phase and the boys are really happy with that.”
It turns out Ioane gestured a ‘be quiet’ lip zip gesture to the Irish crowd and then approached Sexton and said ‘Goodbye!!’
Perhaps even some of the mouth foaming anti-Irish contingent on this site might understand Sexton’s annoyance especially right after such a devastating defeat.
Hopefully the NZ management and players might have a quiet word with Ioane about respecting other teams and nations.
You don't need to beat every team in a World Cup to win the World Cup. Ireland forgot that. South Africa very much remembered that when winning the 2019 world cup. Having lost to New Zealand in the first round.
Also Ireland won that pool game, but it appears Rassie and Jacques were thinking beyond pool games. They knew a pool game loss wasn't ultimately detrimental and were willing to sacrifice a pool game for their greater good. Notice they played nothing like they did against the All Blacks at Twickenham, which wasn't a brain fart by the coaches and were certainly NOT willing to show any of their high end tactics so early on in the tournament.
Ireland were also careful to not show all of their skills in that game. But maybe they showed a bit more than they would have liked because again they got kicked out in the Quarter Finals and again by the All Blacks.
It is safe to say, perhaps Ireland had been a little shortsighted in the way they played. Wanting to win each progressive game, which is definitely a good thing, but having overplayed their top 15 and left the rest to too much resting.
They need to build depth of squad. Having 15 or perhaps even 23 top quality players is not enough. They need to effectively build two full squads who play at the same high level. That will help them reach a Semi final. As it is they rely too heavily upon a small handful of players.
Bit bazaar I'm saw a very humble complementary post match presser. Sure didn't see that from Farrell or Sexton
In re-watching it Ringrose had a chance to give Keenan the ball in space against Scott Barrett but instead cut back in. I think Ireland had to do something like that, chance their arm a little and hope for a half tackle in space and an offload, not just banging away and slipping the ball in tight.
It really was the difference the ability to create on one’s own vs within a system
It was “cut and paste” They did the exact same thing 100 times and didnt quite get there. Suck it up.
NZ forced Ireland into cookie cutter play as they kept winning the breakdown. So couldn’t risk isolated players.
I recall a QF many moons ago where that NZ played hit it up to try and break France. a Good 20 minutes they pounded away without breaking them. All they wanted is to milk a penalty. Never came. When its tight, that is exactly the way. You hit it up.
If you’ve watched sexton over course of career, he doesn’t like being challenged, loves giving it, doesn’t take the chip back, frankly as well , he looked 38 plus I thought, just shoveled it on fairly easy to defend against that
Reminded me of a five eight in league
Fact is that it's exactly what Ireland did, no change in tactics over those last 37 phases, they were lucky they Weren't penalised a lot earlier
Haha
It’s the main factor why Ireland lost their match. I wouldn’t call it a choke. A choke is were you miss a 3 foot put, where you drop a ball cold, make a mistake. Not were you just go into your shell a bit because it’sa big occasion.Same issue as the last World Cup. Excellent attack because they’re well drilled, but lack creativity. No Plan B, no problem-solving. They’ve done well the last couple of years, but they’ve never had to problem solve on their feet where they plan A isn’t working. Hopefully they’ll learn from that.