It’s an uncomfortable thought, never mind feeling, for the All Blacks faithful. That is, how many of them will be cheering for the juggernauts when the RWC final kicks off against South Africa in France this weekend.
Hey, the ABs mythically tee up on a reputation of uniting a nation where politicians fail… just not this time. Well before the team’s flight had touched down at the Parisian tarmac, the rugby union fabric in New Zealand had frayed. Many Kiwis had written off head coach Ian “Fozz” Foster as a “clown” — other labels are too cruel. Bracing in an earthquake-drill position, the detractors had waited for the ABs to crumble to Ireland in the quarterfinals.
Former NZ captain Tana Umaga has reportedly touched on this hypocrisy but qualifying it as “this sort of thing doesn’t happen in the country” is incorrect. Just ask ex-ABs mentors John Hart, Laurie Mains, Wayne Smith, and John Mitchell what it feels like to be chucked under the team bus. Umaga personifies old boys who seldom ever bite the hand that feeds, even if the dog tucker tastes dodgy.
Fozz coaching for his players who, in turn, play for him, is noble. NZ Rugby appointing Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson, of Canterbury, as Fozz’s successor early this year, not so much. Now that’s what makes the players’ loyalty endearing, considering non-Cantabrian members’ apprehension of Razor’s “cutting edge” from 2024.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
With all that Fozzie has endured, making it “all about the team” is selfless. But, you see, this RWC campaign will always be about him, no matter if the ABs clinch the title for a record fourth time or the Springboks claim that honour.
It’s safe to say Fozz was the second most undesirable Kiwi — after a much-maligned former NZ prime minister, Jacinda Ardern — over that duration. That’s in a country where rugby union fans will tell you the head coach’s job trumps any political one.
Suffice it to say, Fozzie had been teetering at the edge of the NZR ship’s gangplank, staring down at the murky undercurrents after the ABs had succumbed in six out of eight tests, from November 2021 and August last year.
By February this year, the 58-year-old’s fear of losing his job had prompted a declaration to not reapply to appease the anti-Fozz brigade.
It had all the skulduggery of the most appalling act in the country’s sporting history: Black Caps cricket captain Ross Taylor finding out on tour in Sri Lanka in December 2012 that then-coach Mike Hesson had combined with “teammate” Brendon McCullum to oust him from his position for a “sulking” McCullum.
Bar Fozzie’s loyal home fans from Waikato and anyone else with a conscience from outside the dairy farming province, the rest of the nation’s fanatics had lauded his impending resignation. Some felt Razor — with just Super Rugby experience — should have taken the ABs to France.
It’s not too late for pro bono lawyers to fight Fozz’s case in a court of law for unfair dismissal on account of workplace coercion. The prudent guess is he will choose life.
Knighthood? It may give Fozzie immense satisfaction to have his naysayers address him as “Sir” but, then again, he can snub it in the knowledge it’ll always be “To Sir With Scant Love” for many.
Conversely, the fans’ test of faith is understandable after the 25-18 loss to Los Pumas in Christchurch only two months ago. But one wonders what critics will say if the ABs win?
He got lucky against Ireland in the quarterfinal; the Argentina semifinal was a given. If Fozz prevails? The same — the playoffs draw was a breeze — not that Fozz will care.
Nobody wants a losing streak on one’s resumé, but Fozz has taught Kiwi fans that a poor report card leading to the RWC is a godsend to throw rival contenders off their scent. Even a defeat in pool play isn’t a Chicken Little moment.
In doing so, Fozz champions the edict that winning the game of life will always eclipse titles. For now, uniting the nation will be a privilege accorded to an unsuspecting Australia when it hosts the Melbourne Cup.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
You're not the smartest cookie. Go back and read the article again ... this time slowly when you get to the sir part.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Yeah, and the old boys' network at NZR had twisted his arm. Oh, and I'm the Dalai Lama in disguise, Believe what you want, Just don;t waste your time trying to herd me into your muster of sheep.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I'm not one of the millions of sheep. You are that breed of Kiwi. I'm a thinker who refuses to give in to herd mentality when God Defend NZ kicks in. So crawl back under your rock, buddy. I'll be whatever species of Kiwi I choose to be. And that's the one that calls your types out.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You aint no Kiwi. Go away and take your agenda and lies with you.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Then you, Jacko, you must live in a naive world. Foster had walked the plank. When your employers make it painfully obvious your contract won’t be renewed, most get the hint. I don’t have any agenda. I’ve been writing professionally for decades. Any employer who hires another before the end of an incumbent’s tenure tends to do the humane thing — release the incumbent of the indignity. The facts are what transpires in the boardroom, mate. Read Fozzy’s memoir when it’s released someday. He’ll write as sure as the sun rises. If the world was so black and white, we wouldn’t be brainstorming issues on the Roar, never mind myriad other platforms. You see, the beauty of brainstorming is agreeing to disagree. I’ll leave it at that.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Yep, 2011, believe it or not, King Henry had controversially won over France in an 8-7 result at Auckland. One Richie McCaw continuously fouled 5m out of his tryline near the upright, thwarting the French rolling mauls for almost the last 10 minutes but the ref did what Englishman Matthew Carley had done in Wales' win over Fiji. Oh, the irony of the 12-11 loss in France. As a Kiwi, we sure know how France and their fans must have exorcised their demons. If not, then we're still in denial.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Yep, when they won the RWC twice ... if my memory serves me right. Other times when they didn't make it past the last 4 or final. Winning isn't the yardstick. Nut, then again, rugby union isn't a religion in Australia either. In which case, logic suggests one must keep their ear on the ground to pick up the right noises.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Like who? The prudent will argue not giving any coach the chance to go to the RWC was, in fact, a blessing in disguise. It's more humane to do that than ridicule and humiliate them for the best part of four years. Put another way, if the NZR had picked a head coach whose credentials are suspect, it's fair to assume the hiring panel lacks aptitude. That selection process and its panellists must be scrapped.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Great post Fruit, you have nailed everything. Razor has his detractors as not having previously coached at international level, those people either do not realise or are being naive as he has coached NZ at age group level previously. That would have helped him to realise talent and how to coach younger players with the Crusaders, it is not about having international experience in my view but having success and the right personality to ensure players growth as well as the team itself.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
One could get the job the other couldnt. Ive never got a job I didnt apply for. Foster never applied for the "Vacant" Abs coaching role for 2024 and beyond. Henry applied for the vacant role post 2007. Also the review has absolutely nothing to do with this its about the rugby setup in NZ and how to improve the NPC and other area's in rugby to get a better financial return and to reduce the area's that are costing money.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Great points Rongowhakaata! That Razor chose to ponce around in France, with a fixed grin, can only be seen as trying to undermine Fozz's confidence and mahi. Very unprofessional, especially when his "buddies" in Europe started saying things like Razor should have been at the helm. The whole affair is pathetic and NZR must take ownership of the handling of the entire situation. That review and revamp should clear out all the inept administrators and dismantle the old boys' network.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
The issue isn't why Fozz shouldn't come under scrutiny, Old Bugger. It is the way the public had treated him. The jobs come under immense criticism because fans have the biggest buy-in in any sport. Who is WB? For the record, I speak my mind. I'm in the corner of accountability, transparency, humanity and other such qualities in issues. Nothing in it for me at all. As a Kiwi, I find the entire episode quite unsettling. Today, truth or fake news, I see referee Wayne Barnes has received death threats. That's a sad indictment on every Kiwi owing to the actions of a few.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Tim Jo … thank you for your opening sentence. It certainly makes you a bigger man for it. That Fozz changed his mentality is a commendable trait, is it not? Mentors expect it from their players, so why should it be any different for them. Razor developed those players? Let’s take it back to give credit where it’s due even more. The schoolboy/age-group coaches have instilled the basics and initial mental fortitude require to pave a way for those players to elite footy. When those players arrive at the Canterbury/Crusaders platform, they already have acquired myriad skills. The Razor types primarily identify their strengths/weaknesses to determine what’s their best roles. Be it a wing, utility back, pivot, etc. The Jones’ experiment isn’t a reflection on the mentor. It had been more in relation to his ability to make some hard decisions in a relative short time with the squad members he had. As Shag Hansen had pointed out, the Aussie squad, for the best part, just weren’t up to it. With apologies to a handful who are world class. The reality is Jones felt the driftwood in the squad must go and he needed to look at the future. Did he err in his hatchet job? You’d think so when looking at the ABs, Boks, France, Ireland, etc keeping some specialist seniors in the mix. You see, I understand that those in Razor’s corner will now have their wish. Watch that space. Will it be fair for the rest of the country to treat him like Fozz when things start turning pear shape? The pragmatic and empathetic will say an emphatic no. Whether he will be approached to accept a knighthood or not remains his prerogative. That’s between him and the GG. If I was him, I would just turn it down. Richie McCaw did on the grounds that it’s a team effort. He may, of course, change his mind when he gets older.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
You have an agenda I dont have. Foster was not sacked. He didnt resign. His contract run out and he personally decided not to reaply. The facts are what they are and your agenda doesnt change that.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Despite overwhelming calls from the nation to step down to what's good for the game and country, Henry had reapplied. What's the difference? The main factor is NZR. It had accommodated him but didn;t treat everyone the same. That's why it's undergoing a review and revamp. Not soon enough unfortunately.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Yes, Jacko, but only after coming up shy in his first attempt and NZ Rugby ignoring a chorus of dissatisfaction from ABs fans to reappoint him. If that's okay for Henry then it should be okay for anyone else, right? No one had abused Henry like they have Fozz. I don't belong to any camp. Just in the corner of humanity.
Old Bugger
Roar Rookie
The fundamental difference, is that in your opinion, NZR's decision was a kick in the guts for Fozzie and yet, he took his team to the final. There are other test coaches, who didn't get to the RWC at all after spending a near full RWC cycle, as the respective coach.....now, what do you consider is different because it looks to me, like you dropped the ball.
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Yo, Jacko, Old Bugger belongs to the gutless wonders who had shot down Fozz. Now grow a pair and commend him for what he's achieved. That's the bigger picture, right?
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Hey, Atapene. Fozz’s record at Super Rugger level wasn’t too flashy but Shag saw merit in the bloke. So much so, he appointed him his assistant and promoted to head coach when he left. I agree with you that Shag shouldn’t have done that but you overlook that he also had come through as Graham Henry’s assistant. Look at what Henry had done. He had refused to leave after coming up shy in his first RWC stint. That cycle of old boys’ network must end. Now look at Razor. Great Super Rugby stints but no international experience. How do you explain that? Wouldn’t Jamie Joseph and the likes have been a better option?
Fruitpicker
Roar Rookie
Well, Old Bugger, you can read my opinion and see how you can add some value with your opinion. I don't see anything of substance from you. If you're asking questions, then it's your lack of ability to comprehend the article, buddy, not my writing. Play the ball, not the player. Let's see if that hits you in the nose, if not your bollocks.