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Ian Foster will remain All Blacks coach and Sam Cane is still the captain as New Zealand Rugby considers changes from its post-Ireland loss hibernation. It comes as the All Blacks named their squad for the Rugby Championship.
The All Blacks had gone ‘missing’ for a week following their series loss to the Irish, the first time a touring nation has triumphed in New Zealand since 1994.
It was an All Black-out, with Foster and NZR chiefs keeping their heads down, avoiding all media and conducting a thorough review.
Even the team’s social media accounts had taken the week off, running counter to the All Blacks’ commercialised modern modus operandi.
Foster emerged from witness protection on Friday for a press conference in Auckland.
“As a head coach there’s been a lot of questions the last couple weeks. I’m strong, I’m resilient. I believe I have a good feel with the players, I’m strategic and I’m also accountable,” he said.
“There’s no doubt I’m under pressure. But I’m always under pressure … it doesn’t change the fact that as an All Blacks coach you live with that all the time. Does it hurt? Yes it does. But the key thing for me is ensuring we’ve got robust processes to make sure we have the right people in there … We’re in this as one.”
Foster was asked directly if he thought there were people who wanted him to fail.
“I can’t control other people’s agendas. I never saw this as a popularity contest.”
“We’ve got things in place right now and I’ll let you know when we can.”
“I’m glad about the accountability from the players, management and we have a plan going forward. We’re never happy when we don’t achieve what we want to achieve. We understand the fans aren’t happy with that. But we have a plan to play a brand of rugby against South Africa that New Zealanders will be proud of.”
New Zealand’s title defence begins with two tough-as-nails Tests away to world champions South Africa, the first on August 7.
Stuff reported the assistant coaches may not be making the trip as the team attempts a shake-up that won’t disrupt the side’s chances of winning.
Foster hinted that there would be changes within the team but didn’t expand on what they were.
However, he did say that Joe Schmidt would remain and has now officially joined as an All Blacks selector but won’t travel to South Africa despite helping in an analytical role.
“I just want to stress that no All Black enjoys being a part of a team that’s losing. There’s a lot of hurt and the next few days will be important for us,” Foster said.
The big news of the day was Sam Cane retaining the captaincy.
“I have faith in Sam Cane … We all know we have a high accountability when you wear an All Blacks jersey and we need to do that better,” Foster said.
However, former All Black Ant Strachan told Radio NZ Cane’s position in the side could no longer be guaranteed.
“There are other pretty good 7s running around the country,” Strachan said.
“If you start losing confidence in your captain to play every week and to lead effectively, maybe a change is warranted.
Strachan said while the All Blacks “are hurting”, the “timing was off” for major changes.
“This team is due to go to South Africa for a couple of really tough Tests. We know how hard it is to win rugby games over there,” he said.
“Making drastic change right now would be unsettling for many.”
ALL BLACKS squad for Rugby Championship
FORWARDS
Hookers
Dane Coles (35, Hurricanes / Wellington, 81)
Samisoni Taukeiaho (24, Chiefs / Waikato, 11)
Codie Taylor (31, Crusaders / Canterbury, 69)
Props
Aidan Ross (26, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 1)
George Bower (30, Crusaders / Otago, 14)
Nepo Laulala (30, Blues / Counties Manukau, 41)
Ofa Tu’ungafasi (30, Blues / Northland, 47)
Ethan de Groot (23, Highlanders / Southland, 4)
Angus Ta’avao (32, Chiefs / Auckland, 22)
Locks
Scott Barrett (28, Crusaders / Taranaki, 50)
Brodie Retallick (31, Chiefs / Hawke’s Bay, 95)
Patrick Tuipulotu (29, Blues / Auckland, 42)
Tupou Vaa’i (22, Chiefs / Taranaki, 12)
Samuel Whitelock (33, Crusaders / Canterbury, 134)
Loose Forwards
Sam Cane – Captain (30, Chiefs / Bay of Plenty, 80)
Shannon Frizell (28, Highlanders / Tasman, 17)
Akira Ioane (27, Blues / Auckland, 14)
Dalton Papalii (24, Blues / Counties Manukau, 15)
Ardie Savea (28, Hurricanes / Wellington, 62)
Hoskins Sotutu (24, Blues / Counties Manukau, 10)
BACKS
Halfbacks
Finlay Christie (26, Blues / Tasman, 6)
Folau Fakatava (22, Highlanders / Hawke’s Bay, 2)
Aaron Smith (33, Highlanders / Manawatu, 105)
First five–eighths
Beauden Barrett (31, Blues / Taranaki, 104)
Richie Mo’unga (28, Crusaders / Canterbury, 35)
Stephen Perofeta (25, Blues / Taranaki *)
Midfielders
Jack Goodhue (27, Crusaders / Northland, 18)
David Havili (27, Crusaders / Tasman, 16)
Rieko Ioane (25, Blues / Auckland, 50)
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (29, Blues / Auckland, 1)
Quinn Tupaea (23, Chiefs / Waikato, 9)
Outside backs
Jordie Barrett (25, Hurricanes / Taranaki, 39)
Caleb Clarke (23, Blues / Auckland, 5)
Leicester Fainga’anuku (22, Crusaders / Tasman, 2)
Will Jordan (24, Crusaders / Tasman, 15)
Sevu Reece (25, Crusaders / Tasman, 20)
Replacement players travelling to South Africa:
Josh Dickson (27, Highlanders / Otago, *)
Braydon Ennor (25, Crusaders / Canterbury, 5)
Tyrel Lomax (26, Hurricanes / Tasman, 14)
With AAP
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