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Opinion
First I want to wish my The Roar family a very happy New Year and a safe 2023.
My first article for the new season had me thinking about how much this year is pivotal for many players and their careers moving forward, but especially for coaches in NZ and Australia.
SA used last season to try players in a rotation style to gauge their effectiveness in pressure situations, also we saw them play with slight changes of style against different opposition.
NZ had a very rocky start to the season against Ireland with an inept game plan that they stuck with, they lacked the ability to change during game time which played into Ireland’s hands perfectly.
Against Australia it was about all about attack from every part of the ground without doing the hard graft first. In the first Bledisloe match this applied but when Australia applied the pressure the All Blacks defence was found wanting with no change in the game plan.
A controversial late try from a scrum for time wasting got NZ home, unlike All Blacks teams of the past this one threw away match winning leads through not adjusting to what the opposition were doing.
Players were being picked out of position and the wrong players were selected, plus the game plan was confusing to understand about the objectives that were supposed to be achieved.
Foster seemed to be a coach stuck in time as he was not willing to change until Auckland when against Australia he stuck with a team that was more well-rounded with genuine threats to the opposition.
By the end of the season the team was showing signs of progression, but the game against England showed that they still need to know how to close out games that they are in control of.
Ian Foster (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
2023 will be the most important season of Foster’s career, anything short of winning the RWC will probably be the end for him as a coach in NZ – at least at Super Rugby level.
Australia has been criticised by some for losing many games especially the close ones, but supporters need to be realistic and compose, especially considering the considerable amount of injuries and players not playing due to personal reasons.
Last season could well be a blessing in disguise with player depth and development showing through, and many of the injured players will be back fully charged and prepared for a huge season ahead of them.
The Wallabies beat South Africa and were so close to toppling the All Blacks. They then went on the EOYT where they came very close to winning against France and Ireland. These are lessons that will be huge moving forward.
With Michael Hooper back and if Quade Cooper can get fully fit, the side will improve in confidence. If the Wallabies can repeat their 2015 RWC effort and make the final in 2023 that will be an overwhelming success.
Dave Rennie certainly has his critics, but is that fair? Or should those critics stand back and understand what he has had to do in a turbulent season, when dealing with injuries?
If the players did not believe in the coach then blowout scores would have come about, but the players gave 100 percent in every game.
Most of the losses came down to individuals making panicked decisions rather than staying composed, this is where Rennie and his coaching team can install composure through genuine belief.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The one criticism of Rennie that can be validated is around two positions: fly half and hooker.
You need a number 10 that can control the game and hooker that can throw with consistency and show strengths in multiple other positions.
Rennie should have been looking at these two crucial positions well before he has done.
Players need time to adjust and develop in their roles to gain the necessary experience and skills needed to be influential.
Anything short of a semi final for the Wallabies at the 2023 RWC could be the end for Rennie, especially considering the draw.
Talk about Australia needing to focus on the home RWC in 2027 should be ignored as this is Australia and every RWC they should and need to be believing that they can win.
Rennie will not be looking at 2027 but this year as he probably will not be at the helm come the next World Cup.
Both Foster and Rennie know that this season is the most crucial for their own careers, but they need to put the players and supporters ahead of themselves and select the right players and create game plans for success.
Thank you for taking the time to reading the article, how do you the Roarers feel about how the coaches are progressing the teams?
What are the key areas that still need to be looked at for your team to be at their peak?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.