New Zealand Rugby chief Mark Robinson has failed to back coach Ian Foster for the long haul at a media conference on Sunday, but suggested a decision on his future would be made within a week.
Robinson told media that a decision on Foster needed to be made in consultation with the New Zealand Rugby board and it was premature to discuss his future now. He also suggested it would be wrong to make a call with the players and team management overseas.
His press conference is only likely to further fuel speculation that Foster, who helmed the team to a stirring win at Ellis Park on Sunday, is a dead man walking.
“There’s a huge amount of passion and speculation, we appreciate that, we need time to work that through,” Robinson said.
“We’ve been having conversations right through this time with Foz. We believe we know where we stand, just have to work that through with him.”
Robinson said the priority was “too get everyone home” from South Africa.
“Then we take stock, meet with management as soon as we can, and debrief how the tour went.”
The All Blacks rebounded from a loss in the first of their two Tests in South Africa with a victory in Johannesburg. It was reported before the tour that Foster would have to win at least one game to be safe although it seems even that might not be enough.
“We’re proud of them, it was really a critical moment in the development of this team,” Robinson said of the performance.
“They’ve been through an awful lot. To win under such adversity, was really pleasing. Any aspect of that performance is considered going into this week’s discussions.”
After the victory Foster hit out at the NZ media.
“The stress has been good for me, I’ve lost one kg in the last two weeks and maybe over the next week or two I might lose a few more,” Foster said.
“It comes with the job. It has been pretty vicious. There has been a lot of onslaught, particularly from our New Zealand media. They’ve got high expectations of us and they’ve made that loud and clear.
“They’ve clearly come very strong at me as a person. Some of them have even called our selections popgun which I found quite insulting for players that give everything to play for their nation.
“That pressure has been strong. It doesn’t change the fact that through adversity is the best teacher for character and we’ve stayed tight.
“We’ve lost three in a row this year, and it hurt, but I felt last week was our best performance of the year. We saw signs of our combativeness – we missed a beat at the breakdown but we’ve grown through that. We’re breeding a few young boys and a few new combinations and that takes time.
“Some people don’t have patience and I understand that; I get the frustrations, but inside the camp that doesn’t mean a lot to us. What’s important is how we pull together and work hard and keep growing.”
Robinson said he was “really pleased for Ian” but added the review is ” not about one individual, we’re looking right across the performance environment.”
Tim J
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :thumbup:
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
Jacko,at no stage did I ever say it wasn't a great win by the AB's.Of course it was,and thoroughly deserved.I actually thought your mob weren't that far off in the first game and it only needed a few things to change and the result could change. Your comment was that the win was for the coach,but I think they were playing for the coach the week before too.The coach made some changes(good ones)and the other coach made some changes(not so good)so the result changed.You are right,Boks were outplayed,outthought and outcoached.
WEST
Roar Guru
Cool cheers :thumbup:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yes to me the abuse has been way over the top and tbh its made me start defending Foster and feeling for him. I never wanted Foster as the ABs coach but I certainly never wanted him to get abused like he has been. I know win % isnt always a great guide to coaches ability or success but I do think NZ cannot maintain a 85-90% win rate and it had to be some coach that eventually lost more than that. Id be happy as an ABs supporter to win at 80% but of course Id like to pick the 20% losses. Anywhere but a WC knockout game LOL.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I was referring to the amount of abuse handed out by the local press but I get your point. Coaching win percentages are not a good basis for judging the quality of a coach though are they? If Shag had coached Italy for 4 years from 2011-2015 his win percentage would have likely been 70/80%
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I know you meant to write 2 from 7 JN but you could also expand your views and say 15 from 21. It sounds better to me. .....Sadly I can still see the ABs being made favoutites at the TAB. I think France will lose the plot if they are favourites for their home WC and geez i hope NZ go in as not expected winners. I think NZ can beat any team in the world on their day so it all gets interesting doesnt it. Particully match 1 of the tournament.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
A forced change in this instance . Dweba was shocking . Gave the ABs lineout advantage all on his own . Kinda irritating because he isn’t really in the bigger picture . Mbonambi is the 2nd hooker and we still have Bismarck du Plessis who is playing great rugby if an emergency call is needed .
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
To be frank Jacko many NZ fans , this site just one sample , haven’t exactly covered themselves with glory in the treatment through social media of Foster . He did not appoint himself .
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
An ingrained problem that has always beset Bok rugby has been overconfidence. Often as you know us Bok fans refer here to the preferred underdog status . So this win ( don’t get too carried away it’s only 1 from 6 now for you and not long ago Wales beat us too and we haven’t beaten Aus past 6 attempts) . , yes this win by NZ did the Bok team a pile of good . Better to not be favourites. Think we will leave that to …um ..not NZ anymore , definitely now France.
Harry Jones
Expert
Search: “desperate-dangerous-all-blacks-roar-back-as-boks-get-cute-and-get-caught” (whispered)
Jacko
Roar Rookie
They have copped rediculas amounts of crap over being not the best in the world and they have very clearly seen what Foster has been copping too Khun. Their press conferences make it pretty clear who this win was dedicated to. Why is it when other teams lose to us its that they got a few things wrong and we were not great? Couldnt it have been that NZ outplayed, outthought and outcoached SA? Thats where I saw it. You disagree?
WEST
Roar Guru
Where do I find it?? I know how disappointed you are, no need to raise your voice
Prof_Kaos
Roar Rookie
What is Robinson up to? Why call a press conference to say nothing including refusing to support Foster? For Foster its slow torture, death of a thousand cuts, it's terrible use of the media. Nobody has done a good job on or off the field.
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
Jacko,why do you think it was for him that they won?Surely they are professional rugby players,and very good ones at that.Perhaps they got a few selections right eg at front row,6 and 10.Plus the Boks got a few selections wrong.Result - AB's winning! We all know there are fine margins at this level.Just look at the Argies v Wallabies.
frisky
Roar Rookie
Marx played for 50 min. It appears to be the maximum in these days of interchange benches.
gwf
Guest
Ian Foster certainly has not been the coach the ABs need and neither is it likely he will ever be...BUT The NZRU and Mark Robinson must also face the same criticism. They put him there. That said, I cannot help but wonder was Mark Robinsons sole agenda around the selling of the AB brand, the securing of investment. It seems ( from an outsider, at a distance) that was the prime focus of the chair and the board. Selling themselves under some mis guided direction the money would help foster the sport in the country ( No pun intended). I suspect most of the NZ public who were against the sale in the first place, must indeed wonder if it was all worth the effort when the Chairman continues to behave as if he has some sense of entitlement.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Paulo I believe the players decided their decision and it showed. Not so much the fact they won but the fight they showed in doing so tells me they have Fosters back. And i wrote above that maybe this is the turning point where the players change their views around Foster. He has been their assistant so long maybe it took this sort of saga for them to play for him as a head coach.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You certainly "chirped" a lot last week WINSTON.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Sorry Winston but all week they proclaimed how great they were and how they would give these ABs a hiding. That got beaten out of them very quickly eh! Your team got a beating at the hands of a team YOU proclaimed couldnt beat anyone. We dont need your BS apologies claims sorry so take it elsewhere.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Maybe he has finally become the NZ coach instead of the guy who has been assistant for years. This could be the point where the players take his beliefs on as HC not as assistant. A turning point perhaps.