Rearranging the deckchairs?
For those scratching their heads over the figurative rearranging of the deckchairs on the good ship All Blacks, rest assured we have almost certainly not seen the last of the carnage.
Some formidable icebergs lurk menacingly beneath the turbulent waters ahead.
But one thing now appears clear: Ian Foster will remain as head coach for the remainder of what shapes as one of the most calamitous years in this team’s history. Beyond that, nothing is certain, but it appears likely he’ll see out his term to the 2023 World Cup in France.
That confounds an army of critics – this one included – who felt he should pay the price for his team’s descent into the morass, pretty much since he took over, but at an alarming rate over the back end of 2021 and start of 2022.
He has already in ‘22 coughed up not only a defeat from 1-0 up against Ireland, but the first series setback on Kiwi soil for 28 years.
That’s a run of four losses in their last five (stretching back to Ireland and France in the north last November). Now, back-to-back clashes against the formidable Boks in their backyard hover with menacing intent.
Given the form the All Blacks are in, even a shortened Bledisloe series in September presents as a decidedly tricky proposition, let alone England at Twickenham in November to cap a tour (along with Wales and Scotland) that is likely to expand. The pain looks a long way from over.
First things first. How has Foster survived, when assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar have not been so fortunate? Remember, these men were handpicked by him and lauded as ideal additions to a coaching team said to tick all the boxes.
Suffice it to say that head coach alternatives were thin on the ground for a New Zealand Rugby organisation already digging into its significant reserves to meet the cost of the latest coaching reshuffle – now into the millions.
Serial winner Scott Robertson has clearly declined any opportunity to take over midcampaign, when he would have inherited someone else’s squad and someone else’s problems. Both he and NZ Rugby are staying quiet over discussions which may have taken place, but Robertson’s acceptance of a Baabaas coaching role in November (against a New Zealand XV) is proof positive he’s dancing to his own tune at this stage.
That is a smart move from a coach who can rightfully feel aggrieved not to have got the nod in the first place in the wake of the 2019 World Cup failure.
The only other alternative was probably Joe Schmidt, who has followed a stint with the Blues by coming in as a selector and coaching ‘‘adviser’’ in the national setup. The former Ireland boss would be ideal caretaker material, but appears determined to keep commitments part-time at this stage as he balances family time in Taupo with his new responsibilities.
Leon MacDonald’s name has also been mentioned in dispatches, but the Blues head coach, who was part of Robertson’s unsuccessful ticket, shapes more as an assistant at this stage of his career.
So, Foster it is. The beleaguered coach has at least had enough time to recover his poise and fighting spirit, declaring on Friday he was ‘‘strong and resilient’’, has a ‘‘great feel and relationship with my players’’ and was also ‘‘strategic and accountable’’.
Then on Sunday, when it was revealed he had brought in Jason Ryan to take over the forwards, he doubled down by declaring he had the full backing of his players to lead a response.
This, remember, was the same coach who told media last November, after presiding over the first three-defeat year since 2009, that for all the setbacks they were ‘‘making progress’’ and ‘‘have some good options now’’.
Foster has hinted at more coaching changes. For now he’s assuming Mooar’s back attack responsibilities, but has tagged that a ‘‘short-term’’ proposition. Presumably they’re hoping to either up Schmidt’s involvement, or bring in, say, a MacDonald to bolster the crew.
What is interesting about Ryan’s addition and the drumbeats around MacDonald (he’s been mooted as coach of the New Zealand XV to face Robertson’s Baabaas in November) is that they’re both staunch Robertson men.
If you’re Foster, and you take a moment to contemplate the coaches you’re being surrounded by, let’s just say the motivation to turn this sow’s ear into a silk purse must be fairly strong.
One final point: this decline is not all on the coach. How many genuine World XV players do the All Blacks now possess? Two, if we’re honest, in Ardie Savea (possibly the best on the planet) and Will Jordan.
Other accomplished sorts, such as Beauden and Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Codie Taylor, Dane Coles, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane, Nepo Laulala and even Brodie Retallick, have slipped back to the pack. As much as the coach has to come up with some elusive answers, his players too must reassert themselves. The looming fortnight in South Africa is big, in so many ways.