Make or break for Foster
All Blacks boss is feeling the heat as Ireland target series win in Wellington
FORMER Leinster and Ireland scrumhalf Isaac Boss was a special guest on the ‘Breakdown’, the flagship rugby discussion show which airs down in New Zealand every week.
A stalwart at the province, making 133 appearances in the blue jersey, the Tokoroa-born half-back also carved out a respectable Ireland career – qualifying to represent his adopted country via a grandmother from Antrim – winning 22 Test caps, which included a tour of duty at the 2011 World Cup in his native land.
Any notions that Boss would be a neutral pundit on the show were dispelled within seconds of the TV broadcast, however.
‘I haven’t stopped smiling,’ he admitted, in the wake of Saturday’s history victory against the All Blacks.
The post-mortem into New Zealand’s first home loss to Ireland was relentless. Former All Blacks wing Jeff Wilson pulled no punches in his review of what
“It’s a massive week, and a real gauge of where we are”
transpired in Dunedin. ‘This is a massive week for the All Blacks,’ he said. ‘I think in terms of looking forward, this is a real gauge of where we’re at.
‘We’ll find out what this coaching group are about, what this player group is all about, what this leadership is all about. They’ll find out so much more about themselves in this next week. There are no excuses this week.’
A beaming Boss was quick to interject. ‘There’s even more pressure. ‘Imagine if they lost that with all these things going against the Irish like a midweek game… Sexton, Ringrose and all these injuries after five games in three weeks. If they lose that… what next?’
This is a huge week for the hosts. No doubt, there will be a reaction in the series decider in Wellington on Saturday.
No one will be feeling the pressure more than Ian Foster.
The 57-year-old was already shipping heavy criticism before Andy Farrell’s squad touched down on Kiwi soil.
He was the continuity candidate for the big job after the 2019 World Cup, succeeding Steve Hansen, who in turn succeeded Graham Henry before him. It’s a policy which made sense in the past.
The first problem was Foster was tainted by the events of the costly failure in Japan. He was part of the coaching group that was outsmarted and outgunned by Eddie Jones’s England in the World Cup semifinal.
Losing Kieran Read to retirement was another big blow, becoming the first All Blacks boss to lose a game against Argentina was another costly result in 2020.
Shipping comprehensive defeats against Ireland and France on last year’s northern hemisphere tour invited more criticism and scrutiny back home. It hasn’t helped that Scott Robertson is just down the road. The former No8 has built the Crusaders into a powerhouse of Super Rugby. Robertson’s party piece is break-dancing on the pitch when his side wins a final. We’ve seen plenty of this laid-back surfer from Christchurch throwing a few shapes in recent times. Robertson threw his hat in the ring for the big gig when Hansen announced his intentions to step away. He did a good interview and was a strong candidate, by all accounts, but NZ rugby chiefs went for ‘Fozzy’ instead. As his side continues to stutter, Robertson’s case grows stronger. There is also Joe Schmidt, who will join Foster’s backroom team as an ‘independent selector’ after this tour.
The former Leinster and Ireland head coach could be in for a big promotion if this New Zealand side become the first team to lose a Test series at home since 1994, when the French prevailed.
There is a sense that the players have rallied around Foster and his under-fire coaching team, which includes familiar faces like Greg Feek and John Plumtree.
Ardie Savea stated as much yesterday.
‘I back my coach, I back my skip (captain) and back my players 100%. Side by side,’ the All Blacks No8 stated.
You only need to scroll through the Kiwi news websites to gauge the increasingly impatient mood of the locals.
‘Why Ian Foster is the one of the greatest bungles in NZ rugby history,’ reads one headline.
‘All Blacks set for all-time low after Ireland defeat,’ reads another.
This is a country where back-toback losses for the national team is a crisis.
Foster’s crew have now lost three of their last four outings. It’s unacceptable in this part of the world. It’s a high-pressure gig where perfection is expected.
Foster’s predecessors knew all about it but, crucially, they maintained those high standards.
As well as leading New Zealand to World Cup glory in 2011, Henry oversaw 103 Tests in charge, with a win ratio of 85 per cent.
Hansen coached the All Blacks to the 2015 World Cup title. He was in charge of 107 internationals, with a win ratio of just under 87 per cent.
Foster’s has recently dropped under 70 per cent. This week, New Zealand fell to fourth place in the World Rugby rankings, the country’s lowest spot in history.
The 23-12 defeat by Ireland was their worst home defeat in 29 years and their worst loss in 150 Tests.
Another failure against Ireland in the capital this weekend and big questions will be asked of Foster and his backroom team, especially with a brace of games against the Springboks on the horizon.
These two teams have developed something of a rivalry in recent times. They could be set for another rematch in a World Cup quarter-final in Paris next year. Will Foster still be in the opposition coaches box?
It all hinges on what happens at Sky Stadium on Saturday.