Amongst the wailing and gnashing of teeth in the comments section of my review of the Argentina match was a pointer to an interview with Ian Foster which slipped quietly by and has not had the scrutiny that it deserves
This interview, thanks for the tip from new Roar poster Rongowhakaata , shows the penny might have finally dropped.
Here is the link for those wanting to the full story, but here are some excerpts which show a staggering lack of self-awareness from the All Blacks’ head coach.
“We’ve done a lot of research on games we’ve lost over the last 10 years and there’s a similar pattern that we like to hold on to the ball and try to run our way out of trouble,” Foster said.
“Argentina stayed in the game and we sort of stuck to an All Blacks DNA, we tried to play, and carry our way through a really strong defensive line. We need to look at our response to teams that want to stifle us.
“We don’t want to. We want to play a game that suits us but … we’ve got to be more respectful of the opposition.”
Foster said it was apparent that under the current rules teams had become adept at shutting down expansive rugby, contributing to New Zealand’s slide.
For mine this is genuinely gob smacking, two years of flat, run at all costs rugby, two years of ignoring what the opposition would bring, two years of believing (despite all evidence to the contrary) that his All Blacks selections could outscore anybody, two years of devaluing the New Zealand tight five, and two years of inserting two wide players into a loose forward trio that has been overrun and outgunned on the ground by all comers, and now it’s all New Zealand rugby’s DNA’s fault.
Garbage. New Zealand rugby has been dominant for so long because of their ability to compete up front, because of their ability to set a platform, fatigue the opposition and win the gain-line before using the undoubted skills in the back line.
Remember when the All Blacks would almost always score before half time and then finish over the top of sides in the final 20 minutes? This disappeared at the same time as the Steve Hansen-led and then Foster adopted position of attacking out wide at all costs, and ignoring the fact that every other rugby team in the world had got pretty damn good at defending over the past three years, hoved into view over the horizon.
For the final dismissal of this New Zealand Rugby DNA distraction, look no further than the side that has cleaned up everything, including the South African franchises before their departure, in Super Rugby.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Scott Robertson’s side don’t play ball in hand from everywhere nonsense. They attack you up front, they grind you into the ground, they push you off the gain line, they earn the right to go wide, they kick for territory, then and only then, do they let that extremely talented backline loose on the opposition.
And this is perhaps the biggest fail of the alleged running rugby DNA story. The top three try scorers in Super Rugby this year with ten each were the Crusaders wingers and fullback.
Not because they play some helter skelter constant attack nonsense, but because they earn the right to play. Do Todd Blackadder, Cullen Grace and Tom Christie look like wide ball in hand operators to you?
Not at all, they can when needed, but they are there to provide the platform for team performance to be built off, they know and accept their role for the greater good of the side.
I use these three loose forwards as an example of how you build a team from the ground up rather than taking short cuts at international level and somehow thinking that a pairing of Akira Ioane and Ardie Savea is going to bother anybody at the top table.
If you want some respect coach then stand up and admit the errors, which it appears, he kind of did in this hidden interview.
Get yourself onto that increasing sycophantic Breakdown show, put your hand up publicly, and while you are at it explain to all of us that pay your salary why you sent the team out that won in South Africa using a an entirely different approach, in Christchurch with a reversion to largely the same old tired game plan, that has seen the side tumble down the rankings, done who knows what kind of damage to the actual franchise dollar value of New Zealand Rugby Inc, and become a genuine target for every side that comes up against them.
Take some ownership, demonstrate this week against Argentina that you understand the game plan issue and fix it with your selections, although it must be said that with the squad chosen, you have left yourself few ways out.
Then coach, and only then, will many of us be right behind you.
Let’s not forget, New Zealand was number 1 in the World Rugby ranking in October of last year, and since then a blind loyalty to a flawed game plan and even more flawed selections has seen a one-way track.
The ever-present selections in the side since (in the nine major matches) then are Ardie Savea, Rieko Ioane and Jordie Barrett. A light weight eight, a world class winger who looks lost when the other team has the ball and whose only decent attacking match in the position was when Richie Mo’unga was let loose to his thing on the high veldt.
Jordie Barrett is a contention also. He still has way too many errors in his game, France away and Ireland matches at home being the most recent examples, but the biggest issue here is the country’s form fullback and World Rugby’s breakthrough Player of the Year is doing a shag on a rock impression out on the right wing.
In short, Foster has weakened the very spine of the team (including the now remedied tight-head spot) with non-specialists in pursuit of elusive holy grail of running rugby, and the loss column has just got increasingly crowded.
Actually, a read through of the ‘most often selected’ players since the tumble down from the number one spot is not great reading for either Barrett and Ioane families as all five are included in that XV.
Beauden Barrett will now forever be tagged with being the ten that took New Zealand from number one to five and his starting win rate of 60% in 2021 and 20% in 2022 does nothing to scream for his reintroduction other than via the bench where he as a 95% success rate. If nothing else, I would just be superstitious and stick him on the pine and hope for that to continue.
Some other selection issues have since been remedied, the starting front row has gone, Akira has shown he can’t transfer his lower level form to the big stage either starting or from the bench, but this is the biggest concern – With the exception of Richie Mo’unga, the backline that lost to Argentina is the most selected combination over this period.
Admittedly Caleb Clarke has had few starts and four other left wings have been used, but for the remainder – they have been our primary go to’s.
In the forwards, Sam Whitelock and Sam Cane are the remaining that have been selected most often.
I am seriously hoping, that based on the interview coach Foster granted above, he has either had a massive realisation that the way he wants to play the game has had its time and it will finally go the way of his two wide loose forwards idea, or that the new selection panel has finally muscled up and they have had a few home truths out on the table at the review meeting.
Thursday’s selection, and more importantly, the game plan used this Saturday, will tell us everything we need to know about where this All Black coaching group is at.
Highlander
Roar Guru
I think its fair to be confused given the needless reversion to a poor game plan in the first Argentina test but you would be a hard marker if couldn't get excited last night. 1. Coaches nailed the game plan - almost perfect 2. No point having great line speed and wall like defence if you are given nothing to hit. Smith/Mo'unga/Havili just kept them guessing all evening 3. Our front row and scrum - just loving this, how good is de Groot at scrum time 4. Playing with depth and distributing to space - Mounga just nailed this, I have just run the numbers for rieko outside Mo'unga vs outside Barrett, he must be loving the change. Is there a better passing 10 than RM playing the game, he was that good! 5. Better distribution of workload in our loose forwards. Frizell makes a huge difference. Biggest workload from Ardie in the tight stuff all year, and it allows Cane to add that link role to his normal defensive stuff, and we saw again how good he is at it. Big test will be delivering that intensity across a few games in a row, but that is a better place to launch from than where we were a month ago.
KiwiHaydn
Roar Rookie
Thoughts on yesterday’s display? I’m really confused by the ABs currently. I don’t think the Argies played particularly well, but did they last week or did the ABs just play poorly? Really hard to get too excited after last night’s win.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Thing is HL, Ireland do take their passing game into the tramlines and turn back infield only, when they run out of paddock. Also with Sexton, they do have a play maker who will kick both territorially and tactically. And lastly, if their was something to definitely admire about how Ireland plays now, it is their ability to maximise their efforts in the break down and thus, winning turnovers. And of course, their set piece ain’t too shabby either. Perhaps not all of what they do now is due to JS’s influence but, I suggest the seeds were planted when Joe, was running the show and Andy, is simply fine tuning, their efforts.
Highlander
Roar Guru
It must have been a close call, but I am guessing jason Ryan was the one who made it Newell has gone pretty well so far - better 30 min player perhaps ?
One Eye
Roar Rookie
What I’m struggling to understand is, Newell is the bench option at the Crusaders behind Oli Jaeger, why hasn’t he had a look in?
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
NZ fighting to save face . Does that make them more or less dangerous. May be too keen and which can create unforced errors . Argentina can almost put one hand on an unprecedented RC win . It’s a final for them . Weather the impending furious first 20 min without much damage and the longer the match goes on better Argentina will start to control.
SLOWFOX7
Roar Rookie
Playing over their talent? The individual talent is everywhere, the Team talent is developing. Of course, setbacks are in the cards, in line with anything argentinian. If LP are on a good day, miracles will happen, and on a very good day they can force the opposition to play badly. The target is to break ABs spirit, frustrate them, have more heart and far more brains.
SLOWFOX7
Roar Rookie
Very good sum up. But let us not fool ourselves. The road ahead is long and winding. Deep down inside, most expect ABs to win tomorrow. I´d be surprised if they don´t. The pressure on both teams ha levelled out a bit. NZ supporters want to get back into their confort zone, get their confidence back. Pumas supporters would prefer to remain clear undedogs. In any case, the Argies will not be roasted if they lose, unless they play badly. On the other hand, NZ bear the heaviest burden of the match.
Highlander
Roar Guru
If it is a rebuild, it is only of what Foster has built. He gets away with some unchallenged nonsense by the NZ media. If we compare Papaliis time on the park to Canes so far this year, Blues boy ain't going to come out of this well - hes hoping he has a big one when called on this week.
Highlander
Roar Guru
More like SA less like Christchurch That has to be the formula OB The only problem with this is that it doesnt really fit the Schmidt ball retention formula. And very different to how Ryan did things at the Crudaers. Could be a quite serious clash of cultures amongst the coaches. Foster, to his credit, has shown signs of stepping back from his 'DNA' of always keep it in hand.
Highlander
Roar Guru
If we do not see a real change in approach based on Fosters recent utterances, then I seriously give up.
Spew_81
Roar Rookie
Determining whether this article is accurate or not would require lot of analysis (I'm sure Highlander has done plenty though) and presentation of that analysis to really make a definitive point. That is something that shows like The Breakdown could do; they have access to the footage, the resources to do the analysis and a show to display it. But they choose to not do that. I think this article raises more and better points than most of the NZ rugby media. The point of this article seems to be that maybe Foster has finally (hopefully/maybe) realized the error of his approach, and how it was kind of obvious to every but Foster. Highlander raises some very good points that are difficult to disprove: 1) Foster's game plan seems to be 10 years old and ignorant of how the game has moved on. 2) Having two loose forwards that like to play a more open, running game hasn't worked out; then raises alternatives. 3) Jordan is waste on the wing/J Barrett isn't playing as well as he did this time last year. If Highlander had a show like The Breakdown I'm sure it would be massively better. I would like to see you as a guest presenter. You two could discuss who was better out of B Barrett and Mo'unga. It would be a good episode.
Rongowhakaata
Roar Rookie
Fingers, toes and eyes crossed if that will help. Hoping for a change of tactics tomorrow. Although someone said that hope is not a strategy. I still believe though that we can turn it around. Haere kapo pango!
wigeye
Guest
So what's your point
thebleedingobvious
Roar Rookie
I wonder why after 3 years under Foster and with so much test experience in the ranks, this team is still ‘building’. Compared to what Foster started with, it’s actually gone backwards to have got into this place of needing to ‘build’ Last week Fosters half time talk not only didn’t see us build from territorial, possession and set piece dominance, rather we went backwards from the first half, nor was Cane taking the reigns on pitch to change strategy or adapt to what was in front of them/coming from Ref, nor demanding or showing composure - dumb penalty that late hit. Similar leadership weakness from other senior players, lineout broke down, nuggie plays like going thru motions compared to passion of old, Ritchie’s playmaking didn’t show up. If the players really believe in backing Foster, why did they show such poor composure and lack of finishing of the game? Lack of confidence in the direction they’re getting? Mounga, Whitelock, Havilli - all stepped up to back Foster - at the expense of Razor!?? This week, I hope Papali’i’s time on park will be compared to Cane’s. All said, it’s not the same coaching group as was, Ryans still quite new, Schmidt more so - given a bit of time, the overall coaching and performance consistency ‘should’ improve with those names - tho I fear the same unwavering confidence in his way of thinking, will make Foster less open to changes in selection thinking and tactics - when he should be stepping back, handing more off to Ryan and especially Schmidt, given both take the backs but all that time since Lions tour Foster hasn’t cracked rush defences. It is our DNA to play more open but we’re not smart in implementing it and establishing platform. After all that’s gone down, they need new voices in there post WC regardless and I fear NZR will be too slow moving to lock Razor in prior.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
Foster is into his third consecutive game where he has chosen, the same starting XV. His record is currently 1W/1L, over the first 2 games. What changed then between those first two matches?? My guess, the game plan/tactics, is what changed. Let's see what transpires in Hamilton this weekend but I reckon, we will see the ABs play a similar tactical plan, as they did in SA. More kicking both territorially and tactically; more set-piece and more ball, passed to the tramlines on both sides, of the paddock. The ABs will want to make the Puma pack, track all afternoon across the paddock then, go to set piece and use the boot, to keep turning their pack around. This didn't happen in ChCh - we took 2-3 breakdowns across the paddock then turned the ball back, into the covering Puma defence rather than keep going wide/wider. We hardly kicked both territorially or tactically - it seemed the kicking boots, were put into hibernation and when it looked like some dominance began to appear in the set pieces then a silly mistake, a turnover or an ill-disciplined penalty, took away any building the ABs, were trying to achieve. Show more discipline on defence but more importantly, show it when the ABs have possession because that, is when correct decisions are needed, to be made.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
In your case, ignorance is a bliss! Ffs some!!
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I do like a real look at things instead of this Highlander fantasy stuff. Whilst I have no doubt Mounga is being told how to play I also have no doubt BB is ALSO being told how to play. That was Moungas second loss to Arg as a starting 10.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Yep forwards win games. A great performing forward pack makes a massive difference to the 9 and 10 no matter who it is. I hope Mounga kills them for 50 mins then BB kills the rest off for 30 more but even when they bring the replacement 10 on they rarely take the starting 10 off anyway. It seems Highlander has forgotten that Mounga was the starting 10 in the two losses the ABs have had to Arg.
Machpants
Roar Guru
I'm not sure how you say or defence has been a stand out, when over the last few years we've broken pretty much every score against us record? Yes, individually there had been some spectacular work. You could highlight Ioane here, for example. But the system is passive and gives up space and doesn't force turn overs.