All Blacks need to find lost aura
their two defeats and close shaves. It’s the way they played and not the results that will be of concern to the coaches.
The All Blacks will be aiming to ensure they regain their aura because there is no doubt it has been lost. But, while the Boks have historically chopped and changed, the All Blacks have retained continuity.
If the All Blacks change coaches after the 2019 World Cup, by parting ways with Hansen, a tried-and-tested individual like Schmidt should come in, or even current All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster could assume the top post. If Foster takes the helm, it would allow for continuity.
Continuity in terms of coaching and playing personnel is a precious commodity. Drawing from my time with Saracens, the team effectively had 80 per cent of their staff stay the same over the last 10 years and it looks like they will reach their 10th consecutive English Premiership semi-final this season, which will be unprecedented.
In contrast, in the previous 10 years Saracens switched coaches on a regular basis. The only thing that changed, which has resulted in the club’s success, is practicing consistency once you have put good people in place. Because Saracens is a club driven by continuity, individuals can leave but the core remains intact. The core has a specific goal, which involves combining new recruits with academy players. That underlines the success of Saracens – any top team for that matter.