Six weeks ago a rare opportunity to watch the All Blacks train came up, so I rescheduled work, hooked my 13-year-old son from school and off we went.
Even better was the next day, they announced they would do it again on Friday. So much to my son’s delight, we did it again.
Now after attending the two trainings here at the Sunshine Coast Stadium, I was on a high, having really enjoyed the chance to watch and learn.
The first training was mainly fitness with a couple of drills and a hybrid style game (ruck touch).
While it was great to watch the drills and fitness, the bronco was my favourite. TJ Perenara, Will Jordan and Damian McKenzie were impressive.
(Photo by Dianne Manson/Getty Images)
The second training was more contact-based with some great drills, but what stuck out for me was the lack of ruck work.
And what I did see was all attack with low numbers committing to the breakdown and a lack of effort to counter ruck from the defence.
Now as a coach, I get that in some drills, you are concentrating on certain aspects. But not one drill did I notice any defensive pressure at the ruck.
While there were a lot of impressive skills in the passing drills, the amount of dropped ball resembled AFL at times.
It seemed they were intent on building handling under pressure with what I felt were unnecessary offloads instead recycling and building phases.
Now I get what they were doing and why. I haven’t seen every training session during a whole week but the lack of tough stuff really stood out to me.
So a couple of hours after the second training, after the high of meeting the players and photos, which was a great experience for my son, I started to think about what they were doing and how.
Then it hit me: this style isn’t going to work against the big forward packs up north and Ian Foster is the wrong coach.
Being a Crusaders fan, I was always in the Scott Robinson camp. So while I was disappointed, selfishly I was happy he was staying in Christchurch.
So I was happy to let Foster to have a crack. And then we got to the South Africa Tests.
(Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
But two tight games – one either way – against a hurting Springboks team that always fires up against us, and missing a few big names, we were travelling okay.
But right now after watching the French and Irish outplay us on the field and more importantly in the coaching box, I’m really concerned that Foster can’t turn this around.
And the loss of South African Super teams means no exposure to this style until the Test season starts again next year against an Irish team that will be full of confidence.
The lack of effort to build combinations and rotating large amounts of players drives me crazy, especially in the centres and loosies.
But more importantly, the halves, where in fairness Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga probably had it locked up until their baby leave.
But not recognising that Perenara can’t pass at Test level anymore and is hamstringing Beauden Barrett and Mo’unga and therefore the whole back line suffers, leaving players on the bench while making 240 odd tackles, playing a seven at eight against big packs, and an increased amount of kicking and failure to counter the rush defence are things that are really alarming.
The whispers that the All Blacks have lost their aura are hard to argue with.
I only hope there is a huge review and Foster is moved on. Will an assistant get the sack or will we see ‘Razor’ brought in as an assistant? There is no lack of quality NZ coaches floating around but I fear nothing will change.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I'm really late to this article , but Im so glad I decided to read it anyways ..firstly congrats on your article , secondly so much resonated with me..And yes what on earth happened to the famous All Black counteruck ..I know the rules have changed but teams like my own Boks , England , Ireland , France still seem to value it ..
WEST
Roar Guru
Foster actually doesn’t have much to do with the attack strategy, he’s left a lot of the tactical side to Plumtree & McCloud.. The buck stops with Foster, but he needs to start questioning his assistant coaches results. As well as his own. He won’t lay any blame or scapegoat.. But the All Blacks attack & defence has stagnated significantly over the past few years. Foster relies heavily on his staff to help come up with answers
Locke
Roar Rookie
I don't see the evidence for scapegoating the assistant coaches. Are will also going to blame Foster's assistants for his very average 8 years of Super coaching? There's a common denominator here and it's not the assistants. Razor coming in could be a possibility but then why would he want to be tainted with the incompetence of Foster? Assurance would need to be provided that he would take over post 2023 regardless of (Foster's) results.
WEST
Roar Guru
Think a lot of it has to go onto the Forwards and attack coaches, Fosters assistants.. Foster should consider replacing those guys. Maybe Razor could work under Foster for two years. Then take over after the RWC.
WEST
Roar Guru
That’s true, not much between the top 5. no one could predict an accurate outcome between them.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
True but I just dont think the ABs are the only side thats had a rubbish year. Boks havnt had a successful year. Aus havnt. France hasnt, Wales, England, Ireland havnt. All have had great moments but none have been consistant. All will be looking for better.
WEST
Roar Guru
The NH won this round.. It’s hard to say it’s a power shift off one weekend of Rugby. But it’s highlighted a lot of areas that we need to improve on..That’s a Good thing two years out from a WC, see if these teams can hold their form for two years and get better again by 2023?? Have to wait and see. This reminds me of 2007
WEST
Roar Guru
Jacko. Im not sure if it’s as simple as saying SA are better or the All Blacks are worse. But what I will say is tactically SA are ahead of us, not only SA but Ireland, England and France. All of these teams can beat us at any given time.. At the moment. Not because they’re better players. But their forwards skill sets are getting better, our forwards were shown up against SA and the last two loses. especially at the breakdown and getting over the advantage line. We need to go back to the drawing board.
WEST
Roar Guru
Im going to imagine a lot of coaches have taken notice of what worked and what didn’t. I’m going to expect a lot more emphasis will be put back into traditional rugby skills. Such as using forwards to set the platform, getting better forwards over the gain line and winning the collisions. More so the breakdowns, competition at the rucks and getting over the ball at the tackle area.. If a SR forward player wants to get to the next RWC.. Here’s your opportunity. Especially if your bigger than most and like the physical side of the game. They’ll be hunting for you
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I think its a year to forget tbh. I think that we have seen a total lack of consistant results across the whole year inc 6N and I think a lot of it has to do with the Bubbles these guys are in and whether they can get up for every match.
Android-angler Cartman-brah
Roar Rookie
Lol arguments aside I hope this years Northern results is not a sign that power has shifted to the north. I hate it when especially Eng win a southern team. Cheers
Jacko
Roar Rookie
If you want garbage read your own post.... Where did I say NZ had a stronger forward pack than SA.....Thats garbage!!! If no Abs make a world team thats on the silly selectors for such a team but if thats true then the coaching must be great ( which I do not think ) because to win so many yet not have a single forward capable of making a W15 is pure genius. Most successful team this year yet all you want to do is bag them. Record tries scored, record points scored and won the RC plus the Bledisloe. And thats a bad year!!!! Beat Aus ( something SA failed to do ) by record margins and also beat Wales by record margin and you arnt satisfied but SA lose to a average Aus, lose to NZ and England and you claim its a great pointer to a successful future. You are talking garbage today A man!!!
Android-angler Cartman-brah
Roar Rookie
So what you are saying the ABs forwards are currently way better than the boks forwards? And thats based on we lost more games. You live in Wonderland. Its clear your forwards are soft even though you won more games. Non of the current NZ forwards bar Ardie Savea would make world team. NZ loss fewer games but you ignore the context. You played a weak Aus team a weak Wales plus USA and Tonga. You clearly talking garbage today Jacko.
Chas
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately I think you may be right Jacko. Another nothing, paper over the cracks decision.
Chas
Roar Rookie
I think maybe the difference is that Rennie now knows what does work and perhaps more importantly what doesn't. Don't think Fozzie does.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I look at their results when people say they are playing so well and have world domination in their close future. Its garbage to claim SA is going great guns or that they have the best pack. You dont lose 5 games in a year and be all those things. When was the last time NZ lost 5 games in a season??? Yet according to him NZ are terrible and the Boks great. What silliness.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
We know who the best is in their positions unlike Fossil who juggles week in week out. Our fixes can be done quick. Our pack is one of the best so we have a strong foundation to work from unlike the ABs. Thats how I see it. So what you are saying is SA know how to be the best and win every game but they chose not to???? Is it a betting thing? Is it corruption?? You claim to have "one of the best forward packs" yet lose 5 games in 1 year but are saying NZ is hopeless after losing just 3 games in the year. Thats just garbage!!!
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Fossil :laughing: :boxing:
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Pilfered. Great article and insights . "the loss of South African Super teams means no exposure to this style" - I've been banging this drum as well. Worst still is stiff competition in SR is mainly only going to be domestic derbies.
Faith
Roar Rookie
Great comment fiwi