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
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
A few links to flesh out the story. https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/7156/red-socks https://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/news/get-your-lucky-red-socks-and-support-blake https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/loyal-flags-follow-in-red-socks-steps/FAUSSVERALTIWRFW2KVYNIOPAI/ https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/americas-cup#auckland But a public fundraising campaign has begun, with the sale of "loyal" flags which are part of Team New Zealand's advertising campaign promoting key crew who stayed with the team, turning down lucrative contracts with foreign syndicates. The sale of the flags, which fit on to car aerials and cost $10, was announced a day after the Swiss team Alinghi, brimming with New Zealand talent, won the right to challenge Team New Zealand for the Cup next month. Team New Zealand's budget is estimated at about $80 million, while Alinghi's is thought to be US$70 million ($127.7 million). By the time of their second defence in 2003, Team New Zealand had had a significant change of personnel. Peter Blake had stood down as syndicate head after the victory in 2000, only to be murdered while on an environmental voyage up the Amazon River in December 2001. Many of the afterguard from New Zealand’s previous campaigns – most notably skipper Coutts and tactician Butterworth – had joined the Swiss-based challenger, Alinghi. Some New Zealanders reacted badly to their decision to jump ship, questioning their loyalty as New Zealanders. Resentment deepened when Alinghi sailed away with the cup against an unreliable NZL 82. Reflecting on this reminds me what a dark period this was on our national psyche. 2000 successful defended the cup, 2001 the hero leader gets killed, then in 2003 the tactician+helmsman (from our prior successful campaigns) then took the money from a rival to help them take it. We've moved on, had some more ups and downs. Back at that period though (to me) was when we as a nation, got a wake up call to the reality of the world. I'll leave it there.
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
Yeah (Re Cane) that is a nice story. Money talk can only make us cynical. :thumbup:
Guess
Roar Rookie
Very interesting story. I recently read an article about the letter where Sam cane and some other NZ players were expressing concerns over deal with Silver lake and threatening to block it. As it turned out their attempt was futile too. Hard to fight big money. But I started to respect Sam Cane for that letter cause it looks like he genuinely cares about NZ rugby and its traditions
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
Back in the 90's with the AC. To fight off big o/s money in an (futile) attempt to keep our talent, we had this quaint 'loyal' national red socks campaign, where kiwis could buy over priced red socks at the PO, supermarket etc with the funds to go the AC campaign. The theme of this campaign was to Dave Dobbin (the musso's) "loyal" song. I guess the big money interests behind banks/media would accuse it of some sort of phobia or ism these days. Strangely that story arc ended with our helmsman (Sir Peter Blake) later getting shot in the head by Amazonian pirates (not the corporation). Life is weird.
Beefa
Guest
Foster wasn`t the one missing tackles the Argies and Irish.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Yep money ruins fun :unhappy:
Fox
Roar Guru
Well there will be some shake ups Muzzo so we shall see as now JS is one of the selectors - but they need Jordies long distance boot. He would be a good bench player as he can relpace wing - 12 - and FB and could play 10 at a pinch as well as he has the skillset. The most versatile back in AB's. It would be good to see Jordan at the back but Foster is still the backs tactical coach. It has also just come out that the players were given a sheet to fill out about changes that are needed and all supported Foster but thought changes were needed in other coaching places. - now that I have to say is interesting as it would have been annonymous to avoid ill feeling. So maybe there is something going on with those coaches that we are no privilaged to.
ScrumStability
Roar Rookie
As a long suffering Wallabies supporter I am intrigued by the strange situation our Kiwi brethren have in their hands. There appears to be no shortage of talented players there (unlike here in Australia) but a lack of unity and purpose. I don’t know Foster and have no idea if he was the wrong coach or not, but when group of talented individuals is not firing as a team I look at the coach/captain dynamic, since it is those two individuals who influence the style of play the most. The coach can set some macro guidelines but the captain has to make those calls on the ground (micro). Ironically we are having the same discussion over here (Hooper better off as not captain, what is the dynamic between him and DR etc). If Foster should have gone already and is still there, what is the threshold? The Bledisloe changing hands? (Dare we hope?)
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yep Fox, with Will Jordan, at the back!!!
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Nothing wrong with Cane , he’s had a few concussions. Make Ardie Captain .
WEST
Roar Guru
It’s a start. Schmidt has his hands full.. Foster is the backs coach for now. Should be interesting
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Definitely pragmatism and not how he wants to play. Whether he'll ever be able to pull it off is another matter!
Fox
Roar Guru
Jeff, he was never coming as "the Director of Rugby" but as selector and annalyist of the opposition. This new role is clearly more dignificant. Several NZ journos have also pointed this out in the Herald and so on. But he does not wnat to tour all over the place at this stage but do it through conferance calls and on site in NZ and maybe Australia when he needs to or wants to. If he is still there come WC time one would imagine he will go over for that event. He also really likes working a the Blues apparently.
Fox
Roar Guru
Yep I fear you are right Muzzo. UJ would be a good shot at 12 IMO. But the AB's do have a rocket up their rear end right night now so they might - I say might - just surprise. I would like to Caleb Clark on one wing as sending bombs to him is a dangerous practice at the best of times.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I would be interested to see where they have publicly said that
Tim J
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Confirmed he is......Jason Ryan replaces Plums and Moaar is also gone.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Pretty much agree Fox, but I do think that with all these issues coming out in social media etc etc & such like, it will have a rub off effect, in the long run. People are sick of this BS being served up to them, especially by the NZRFU, who Iv'e noticed have already had protestors outside their doors. Anyway, TBH, after viewing the Bokke squad & seeing the return of Duane Vermuelen, plus, I really don't give the AB's much of a show, in the Republic. After watching the last test against the Welsh, it was very noticeable, that ALL their gun players were there, & that ' bomb squad' they have off the bench, is something else. So IMO, under Foster the imposter, another couple of losses coming our way. Oooopps , just noticed that Umaga- Jensen, is up & ready to go again, as we did see how he went, against those selected in this current AB squad, in the SR semi final, before he went off.
Fox
Roar Guru
No he will be the AB coach PK - and maybe much sooner than that as Irish Joe has stated he does not want the job as head coach for family reasons and all the time away and touring.
Fox
Roar Guru
Apolgises for endless typos above I was in a hurry