Ian Foster refused to speculate on his future as All Blacks coach following a series loss to Ireland, but that didn’t stop plenty of others from expressing an opinion.
Asked directly about his situation after the tourists came back from 1-0 down in the series to hand the ABs a first series defeat at home since 1994, Foster told reporters: “I just want to talk about the Test match.”
The All Blacks were ducking for cover on Sunday, cancelling a press conference scheduled for the team hotel.
Foster’s win percentage has dropped to 66.7% (16 wins, 1 draw, 7 defeats) after Saturday’s loss – the worst of any All Blacks coach in the professional era.
The All Blacks were down by 19 points at halftime, a record for them in a home Test, before losing 32-22 after a brief comeback.
“For some reason we’re just not as calm,” Foster said of the poor start.
“In the defence area we’re getting a bit fidgety, there’s a few holes and Ireland aren’t a team you can let get behind because that is when they play an up-tempo game.”
Here’s how the NZ and UK media reacted
Richard Knowler, writing for Stuff, said dealing with Foster’s position was top of NZR’s must do list.
“As the sirens start wailing inside the corridors of NZ Rugby headquarters, there is one question that must be answered. What are the high priests of our national game going to do about All Blacks coach Ian Foster?” Knowler wrote.
“… Foster, who is contracted through to the 2023 World Cup, must have been hoping his men would keep cool and throw everything in their arsenal at the Irish. Instead, Ireland struck back with a try to replacement hooker Rob Herring with 16 minutes left on the clock to set up a pulsating finish.
“Foster will now be hoping NZ Rugby continue to support him, in his time in need. Because the All Blacks have now lost four of their last five tests and look to be down on confidence and, at times, ideas.”
Marc Hinton, also in Stuff, said a coaching change must be considered.
The Roar experts Brett McKay, Harry Jones and Jim Tucker tackle the NZ v Ireland Test in their instant reaction podcast
“The All Blacks are in a heap of trouble little more than a year out from the World Cup, and drastic change appears the only answer,” he wrote.
“… What are the answers? Well a coaching change must now be considered, at the very least. Ian Foster’s hold on his job must be tenuous at best. It has been suggested to me a swap-out of some of the assistants could be the answer, but you have to think the man calling the shots must be in the firing line. This is just not working, and NZ Rugby’s board owe it to their people to dig deep on this.”
Hinton added that the position of Sam Cane as captain should also be considered.
Sam Cane of the New Zealand All Blacks looks on dejected following the International Test match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Ireland at Sky Stadium on July 16, 2022 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
“Sam Cane is a fine fellow and stout player, but, after crumbling to their first home series defeat in the professional era (1994’s 2-0 shutout at France’s hands the last such stumble), nothing can be considered beyond assessment,” Hinton added.
“Something has to change in the All Blacks makeup, and game, or next year will follow a depressingly similar script.”
All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick said the team was outcoached.
Talking on Sky Sport UK , he said: “The style in which they lose the series will be concerning going forward,
“The questions will be asked. Have they the right coaches? Have they the right head coach? We were outcoached, without question. So they need to decide what they’re going to do in terms of going forward.
“Have they got the right players? That’s going to be another question, and have they got a team that’s capable of winning the World Cup? On what we’ve seen in the last two weeks, you would doubt that.
“We do have Joe Schmidt in the wings, he’ll be coming back into the team now when they go to South Africa, so we’ll just wait and see. Let’s not throw the toys out of the cot just yet.”
Gregor Paul, writing in the New Zealand Herald, agreed that questions should be asked of the leadership.
“This is not a great or even a particularly good All Blacks side. The question now for New Zealand Rugby’s board is to determine whether that can change without instigating some kind of change,” he wrote.
“Is this side destined to wallow in its own deficiencies and befuddled thinking, or is there some way they can catapult themselves into a new, more compelling trajectory?
“Beyond doubt now is that the All Blacks are clearly in a rut. They can’t string together 80-minute performances and they don’t seem to be able to kick-start themselves into action until they are looking at something desperate on the scoreboard.
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
“Again, as they did in Dunedin, they showed heart, resilience and at times, a touch of enterprise and class. When they came right they were good. Really good – slick and inventive and they were clinical with their opportunities.”
He added that beyond the coaching issues there were not enough players of quality putting up their hands.
“The realists, who shouldn’t be confused with the pessimists, will fear there is too much wrong with this team to see a fix looming on the horizon. Not without some kind of change in coaching personnel – be it tinkering or wholesale because there are not a whole lot of new potential test players lurking in dark recesses.”
The overseas media joined the pile on after Ireland’s stirring win.
“By scoring three tries in the third quarter, the All Blacks – inspired by the carrying of Ardie Savea and Akira Ioane – gave Ireland a real fright. Ultimately, however, this is a New Zealand team who have been exposed as woefully flawed by an inspired touring team,” wrote Peter O’Reilly in The Times.
Ben Coles, in the Telegraph, added: “Ireland outclassed the All Blacks in New Zealand, a statement which would have seemed utterly fanciful in the past. The first 40 minutes may well go down as the best in Irish rugby history. It was a procession.
“But the result was not shocking, a sign of how far Ireland have come and indeed how far New Zealand have fallen.
“All the talk in the build-up centred on how New Zealand would respond to a first-ever defeat to Ireland at home, and they did come up with a spirited effort – but only after trailing 22-3 at half-time, their biggest deficit at the interval since the dawn of Test rugby.
“That abysmal first half, when New Zealand couldn’t catch a cold, left the All Blacks with a mountain to climb, a feat they couldn’t manage despite three second-half tries.
“The increase in quality from New Zealand in the second half from the first was significant, no question. But this was Ireland’s day, their series, delivering an utterly astonishing performance packed with resolve and quality. Winning in New Zealand once seemed impossible. No longer. Ireland have conquered the All Blacks.”
CUW
Roar Rookie
@PAULO well the judiciary thought Branes was correct .. didnt i say this !!! it isnt the judiciary that cites - only citing commissioner. judiciary thought the citing was rubbish :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: WAYNE BARNES IS LIKE DAN CARTER IN A WORLD CUP SEASON - UNTOUCHABLE !!!!! :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :silly: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
CUW
Roar Rookie
great - if they cited then it will be similar ban to NZ prop - hopefully !!! this is the issue with Wayne Barnes - he is the opposite avatar of akira ioane. does a good job most of the time - but then comes up with a result altering decision that fans will remember for decades !!!
thebleedingobvious
Roar Rookie
Kicks from the scrum base aren’t our style and don’t work for us because our chase game and aerial work aren’t good enough. It’s not a style we play so much and isn’t our rugby dna. We have to play the expansive rugby of our dna but do it smarter to reduce the pressure on our handling. We need to be more patient in build ups and respect territory and possession more. We have to be better at first up tackles and our defensive structures and may need to get a NH coach for this. We need to respect territory more, long kicks from 10 or 15 or 12, if Havilli or Jordie moving into 12 at opportune times. Not kicking long down the middle to hand but to touch or turf. If they throw in quickly make them play out of their half – not from our 10 metre line, which is where our pointless box kicks end up and those are handled better by NH teams than us ie. we hand possession back for almost zero benefit. We need a base structural way we play, setting a platform, going for territory, defensive pressure on them to force mistakes. Our attack game and opportunism is fine, we have the players. We have shown lack intensity until back against the wall, slow starts are from not being up for it – they don’t play for this coach and he doesn’t fire them up. Henry and Hansen had an edge that players respected/ feared somewhat. But we do have to muscle up in the forwards, there may need to be some changes – solid reliable accurate and skilled props are Moody (when fit) and Bower, the others are below that level, locks we may need to blood Vaii and Lord as much as possible pre WC. Retallick may be at risk of losing his place. Taylor looks depressed, not playing with energy and enthusiasm and shouldn’t be picked. We have to trust its Taukei’aho’s time, takes it up strong and reliable and accurate with his throws. Cane has to go because he really only offers great defence which should be a loosie prerequisite anyway, plus he’s not shown any ability to demand tactical change ups when it’s not working on field – albeit there’s talent but not great game management and leadership in the backline. Maybe Ritchie’s a better bet than Beaudy, ALB will be back sometime, Smith needs to get back to his natural game and kick far less. Papalii 7, Akira and Scott B compete for 6 and keep each other honest. Ardie is captain and stays at 8. Change isn’t likely to happen though because NZ rugby most likely won’t replace Foster and he will stick with what he’s doing because he’s not forward thinking – like NZ rugby. Most likely wallpaper over cracks, Foster getting the some outside coaching support blah blah. Forget about Schmidt, Ireland were not playing AB dna style under him but are under Farrell. The progression is Robertson, unfortunately unlikely to happen until after a highly possible WC QF knockout.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
They did. Let’s see what the judiciary think now.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Changing the coach is a wise move, but even with the change the ABs dont have the players they had 5 years ago. I reckon if they are well coached they could be 3rd in the world, maybe second at a push, but you cant just replace Carter, McCaw, Nonu, Smith, TJ etc etc etc. What a team that was! Sorry to my Kiwi brothers, but probably need a few years before you guys are back on top.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Canceled their press conference? Reminds me of the amateur era when MaxP would slink into the sheds and not do post-match interviews if they lost. Much is made of the supposedly superior character of MaxP (they clean up the sheds, you know?) but I’ve found in life it’s how you front up after loss and disappointment that shows true character.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yeah except I doubt Cheika supports Fossie..... :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
And hows that gone in the last 4 years? Mounga is not a test 10. Great SR 10 but nothing more. He lost the RC from 10 in 2019, the WC semi he was 10, the loss to France he was 10 and the loss to Ireland he was 10 for 60 mins. It hasnt worked and as mark says, he runs around in circles beating defenders without creating anything. Im starting to think Dmac should be chosen to tour SA in a few weeks time and play 10 or let BB play 10 with a different game plan as the current one doesnt work for anyone.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes the noise might be loud right now but its been around from the day Foster was announced as coach. I wonder how he can continue as surely he can read his future in his morning tea leaves.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Gilbert has played 1 and a half games at 10 Love played fullback for the Maori and Sullivan hasnt had a SR game at 10 yet OB. Yes they are talented and yes they are coming thru but they come thru as 10s and get punted to FB for so long they lose the 10 skillset. Agree Ioane and Hunt just dont cut it anymore. Ioane still might... But we are losing the playmakers.Its worse tho when you look at what BB was instructed to do in this series. Ive never seen him play so deep and wide like this series and that had to be a plan of Fosters. Im no Mounga fan as many on here know but even he was playing a lot better before Foster started redesigning the wheel of rugby. I watch Abs play and they seem to play a totally different game to any other nation when it comes to beating the rush defence. Can Foster and the rest of the coaching staff not see what we all can? I also dont believe Cane should be the Captain. No idea who should tho sadly as no one is demanding a start and showing leadership qualities outside of Whitelock and he is aging. I said a year ago that the 2023 WC will come a year or two to early for NZ and I still think that but I do think there is better performances in them than we are getting.
Mark
Guest
Exactly Its one thing to lose to a team if you are playing great rugby on the back of a great game plan - but the opposition just better than you Its another to lose playing the same stupid style that has failed for the last 4 years Its another to lose playing the wrong players in the wrong positions If were honest - we didnt really make a game of it at all - even in the 1st test - we got away with that one with 1 fantastic quarter and the Irish somehow fluffing there lines more often than not
Chucked
Guest
Silence from Foster… the again he cant say much. NZRU no doubt will be in discussions with a number of coaching candidates. They wont want to announce Fosters sacking/resignation until they can make an announcement of a replacement… mark my words… im positive it will occur.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Fox, you nailed the key problem which is the payout clause. Also NZRU would not want to admit that they got it wrong by appointing Foster, they will rather let him die on his own sword.
Fox
Roar Guru
Yeah, I like Foster as person doesn't come across as an unpleasant guy or anything but he out of depth I think as head coach. I fear that because Irish Joe is on board now that they may ask him to take more responsibility in the coaching and allow Foster to keep his job. Every contract like this has payout clause and NZRU may not want to go there as it would a fair bit of money at this point so they will resist doing it IMO - sadly. They will try to find ways to minimise the damage and get Irish Joe more involved IMO and sack the easy escape goats in the other coaching staff. Plumtree will not last IMO. BUt sadly, I think Foster might keep his job but I hope not.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Yeah, me too......
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
They're picking them Jacko - just look at Love (Canes), Zarn S (Blues) and Gilbert (Landers) - 3 youngsters just getting their chances as they become available but post 2023, once RM leaves on sabbatical and BB decides to do other things, then these guys will be the next cabs, off the rank. I dunno about Ioane and Hunt - I say they both had their chance and haven't really grabbed it. Last but not least, Macca is sitting in the background for next year so I'm sure, McMillan will be running him with Gatland, at the Tron.
Hikanui
Roar Rookie
You called it mate! Let's see the change!
piru
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your input - we look forward to your ongoing contributions after each match.
piru
Roar Rookie
In simple terms NZ were outplayed, out coached and just beaten by the better side. I agree, but this is the point - it shouldn't be the case. NZ does not just go "oh well they were better than us, what can you do?" That's not how NZ rugby works and it's why we are the yardstick. Foster just shrugging and going "They're pretty good" is not good enough
piru
Roar Rookie
I've never seen an All Blacks side so bereft of ideas, so predictable. We have probably the best pool of rugby talent in the world (to the point we are supplying most of our opponents with players) and yet the best option we seem to be able to come up with most of the time is 'box kick it back'. It's not good enough - I don't know if changing coaches will help, but at this point what is there to lose?