Is it really possible that New Zealand Rugby will give Ian Foster his marching orders in the event that the All Blacks lose to Argentina on Saturday in the penultimate game of the Tri Nations competition?
Exactly how seriously the folk in the shaky isles take their rugby can be gauged from the fact that this option has been canvassed by a number of rugby writers after the disaster of the 25-15 loss to Argentina a fortnight ago.
Foster has had a disastrous start to his term as coach, with two defeats in his first five games in charge. Had these defeats been at the hands of teams like England or South Africa, it is doubtful that people would have reacted as they have.
But losing to Argentina is an entirely different story, especially given that the All Blacks have never lost to the Pumas until this year. The closest the South Americans had come to victory was a draw back in 1985.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Such has been the criticism from the public that it has riled New Zealand captain Sam Cane to the point where he made an unseemly comment, the likes of which have never come from any skipper that I can recall.
Cane came in for severe criticism after he said some fans were “brutal” and “might like to think they know a lot about the game of rugby, but really they don’t” during an interview with Sky Sports’ The Breakdown.
The All Blacks captain, the third most important man in the country after the prime minister and the All Blacks coach, has not expressed any remorse over his churlish statement.
He told the New Zealand Herald on Friday: “I’ve always spoken my mind and been reasonably honest, I hope most people will appreciate that.
“It’d be nice to just always do these interviews and play a pretty straight bat, you know, generic answers, but I suppose every now and then being honest may create some headlines.
“I was pretty happy with the whole interview as itself. If the whole interview is viewed it probably puts it into context.”
The New Zealand public is very possessive about their rugby team and it is probably a good thing that Saturday’s game is being played in Australia, else Cane may well have faced a public display of anger.
That said, it is not the public who decides on who will be coach. But if Foster were to lose a third game, questions would be raised about how he got the job ahead of Scott Robertson.
He has not been particularly successful in any role, and his only qualification was that he filled in as Steve Hansen’s deputy for many years.
Hansen went 35 games before his charges suffered two losses. Overall, the burly Hansen presided over 108 games and lost only ten.
Given that, Foster has very big shoes to fill and to say he would be nervous in the run-up to Saturday’s game is probably the understatement of the decade.
Even though the players tried to take the blame for the terrible showing against the Pumas last time, everyone knows that the coach will have to wear any blame.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
She wasn’t perfect but she was good enough and yes her treatment was poor and, sadly, not really surprising.
Are you falling for that rubbish? Come on Nobes surely you are smarter than that! Or maybe not???
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Especially after how they treated Gillard. I've no idea whether she was good, bad or indifferent, but she didn't deserve the crp thrown at her.
Josh
Roar Rookie
Mirt, you do realise that many in that squad won two world cups? Richie, dan, maa nonu, retallick, sam whitelock, read, kaino, Konrad smith, ben smith, sbw, not sure when thorn retired, but I haven't looked at the list but sure I missed some ppl. I also forgot about the front row.
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
How many times did Greg Clark mention the ABs loss to the Pumas two weeks ago. I gave up after 12, :-)
Wigeye
Guest
Thankyou Michael hooper from the newzealand public we deserved and should of come 3rd.and wallaby's and fans must be gutted. I'm not joking or trying to stir. :angry:
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Actually wouldn’t wish a political career on any useful person in the current climate. Today’s form of democracy is looking very horse + buggy. Effective power seems to be based elsewhere.
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Easy!
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: I’m not THAT old ya c..t!!
Josh
Roar Rookie
Hansen acquired a squad that had just won the world cup and was entering their prime. Foster acquired a squad that had just lost 2 time wc winning all time greats. Foster will still finish this year having won Bledisloe and Tri Nations. Not bad for a squad at the start of a massive rebuild.
ADP
Guest
To clarify, my question was whether he'd lose the captaincy. Some coaches like to pick their own captains.. I like Cane, he's been good. My question stems from that much of the criticism of the Abs has been to do with leadership...
Olly
Roar Rookie
It would be harsh to fire him in a Covid year
OtakiCraig
Roar Rookie
So what ya dummy! No women picked fossie, maybe it may have gone differently if they did
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Thought she might have been Red Robs daughter
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Yes he has also been assistant at both The a Sharks and Hurricanes.before becoming head coach of the Sharks .. . As a Shark supporter I can testify that he garners huge respect in Durban… A very likeable bloke too. Dunno if I’m reading too much into this but couldn’t fail to notice the complete lack of communication between him and Foster during the Argentine match.. Like an invisible wall between them.. No facial expressions, verbal comment, no eye contact…. Yet considering events on the field you would have expected the opposite.
INT
Guest
I’d hope Foster would go regardless of the result. His methods (as early as it is to critique - he has of course been part of the previous regime) reek of mental illness - doing the same thing over and over but expecting a different result. The manner in which the AB’s lost to Eng last year was the final acknowledgement (or should have been) that the All Blacks style of play has been caught and surpassed. Time now for a revolutionary resource based approach - of which I don’t believe Foster is capable of facilitating. Razor should’ve had the job. Good luck Pumas...
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Come back to earth Andrew, your mother and I are worried about you. . I agree that Hansen was handed the best team on a plate, with that team Foster would have looked good. But 5 or 6 best all time, is a bit unreal, sure would make a good conversation when you name them. . Lara said “his short record stands at 50%” , two wins and a draw out of five games is not a 40% record and with a win tonight will be 58% however with a loss or draw tonight he’ll have a 33.3% win rate. With a bonus point win tonight he’ll be well on the way to a 100% record in competitions so far. As I said before, it’s a pretty pointless discussion till after the game.
Robert
Guest
Rumor has it he's starting to become the puppet master, played the assistant role at the canes and Ireland remember, Ireland approached him for the head coach job but his family missed nz to much so he came home
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I still don't get why Plumtree didn't get the job... In addition he is accustomed to being a head coach for many years now and has to play second fiddle.. Almost a demotion.. Still if Foster does get shown the front door will Plummers have to go too?
Their preparation has not made them match hardened. They may be fit, but match fitness is another story altogether, why do you think they made so many changes?