ABs’ coach confident of remaining in charge against Pumas
ALL BLACKS coach Ian Foster expects to lead the team to its next test against Argentina in Christchurch in under two weeks and is confident he has the full backing of his players to do that.
New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson fronted media on Sunday, but his refusal to back Foster’s future only further fuelled speculation and uncertainty.
Once the All Blacks arrive home from South Africa, Robinson indicated the NZ Rugby board would review the team’s threeloss, twowin start to the season and ultimately determine Foster’s future at some stage next week.
The All Blacks are scheduled to reassemble in Christchurch next
Sunday, leaving little time for a definitive decision to be made.
Foster, speaking in Johannesburg one day after the All Blacks’ 3523 bonus point Rugby Championship success at Ellis Park that snapped a threegame losing run, made it clear he expects to remain in charge.
‘‘I haven’t heard or read those comments but he’s got a job to do,’’ Foster said of Robinson’s remarks.
‘‘I’m about to hop on a plane and go home and mow the lawns around the pool. I’ll be given feedback, no doubt, but my expectations are I’m the All Blacks head coach and later in the week I’ll be going to Christchurch and assembling with the team until I’m told anything different.’’
At this stage, Foster is unclear about the review process and who will be involved.
‘‘I’m not too sure, but what I do know is their job is to reflect on where we’re at and to make decisions. I’m sure I’ll get told about that.’’
Asked if he feels he has the backing of his bosses, Foster expressed confidence the playing group is behind him.
‘‘I certainly feel I’ve got the support and backing of the All Blacks and there’s still processes New Zealand Rugby want to go through. To coach this team, you have to have categoric support.’’
Foster elaborated on an intensely difficult climate surrounding the All Blacks, and the personal pileon that’s come his way, after the team lost five of its last six tests before the inspired upset triumph at Ellis Park.
‘‘You get used to it. And that’s sad, isn’t it? I get used to the personal side, but that’s the nature of the job. They’re the distractions I ask the players to put to one side.’’
After the All Blacks delivered their best performance of the season, vastly improving their forward platform, attack, set piece and high ball work against the world champion Springboks at altitude, Foster feels he has unfinished business and believes he is continuing to grow as a coach.
‘‘There’s no manual with this job but you’ve got to trust yourself and the people you work with and then you’ve got to be open with all the different ideas you get and put it into a plan. That’s what I’ve been doing. I’m a different coach to what I was 12 months ago.
‘‘You’ve got to remember last year we won 12 out of 13 games in a row and noone was talking about us. What this team learns is when things go wrong you certainly hear it. It’s how we deal with that.
‘‘You always know you’re going to get some obstacles. You look at three losses in a row — that’s adversity a lot of this group, including me, haven’t had. We have to fix it. Our mindset is about trying to move on and grow the team. We’ve got an absolute goal for a Rugby World Cup at the end of next year and in many ways this needing to be the launching pad for that.
‘‘I’m not resentful about anything that’s happened the last three weeks. I’m disappointed we lost but I also think we’re using it the right way to fuel a team that’s united and wants to play for this country.’’
Veteran hooker Agustin Creevy has been left out of Argentina’s 32man squad for its next two Rugby Championship matches, against the All Blacks, a day after equalling the country's all time caps record.
Creevy came off the bench on Sunday for his 94th test appearance as Argentina hammered Australia 4817 in San Juan.
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, Francisco Gomez Kodela and Juan Imhoff were also left out as coach Michael Cheika finalised his squad.
Also out is centre Jeronimo de la Fuente, after suffering a hamstring injury on Sunday, but could yet join the squad once he is passed fit.
Eduardo Bello, Guido Petti, Santiago Socino, Benjamin Urdapilleta and Mayco Vivas have all been recalled to the squad.