A rucking good ruckus
The All Blacks face a must win test in South Africa with coach Ian Foster’s job seemingly on the line. Richard Knowler outlines the key players, both on the pitch and behind the scenes, to keep an eye on.
The gulf between the administration, board and All Blacks seems to be getting wider every week.
As Ian Foster prepped for his interview for the All Blacks head coach’s job in late 2019 he knew it was vital to be clear-headed and confident.
If he was to be appointed as a replacement for Sir Steve Hansen, the man he had assisted and helped select All Blacks teams for eight years, Foster had to convince a NZ Rugby-appointed interview panel why he could repair the All Blacks’ reputation following their failure at the World Cup in Japan.
Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry, NZ Rugby chair Brent Impey, incoming chief executive Mark Robinson, head of high performance Mike Anthony and former Silver Ferns coach Waimarama Taumaunu had to make one of the most important employment decisions for NZ Rugby since Henry escaped the axe after the All Blacks’ quarterfinal exit to France at the 2007 World Cup.
Unlike the 2012 appointment of Hansen, who was always expected to get the role ahead of Vern Cotter, Foster was no certainty to beat Crusaders boss Scott Robertson.
The panel, it turned out, was impressed by Foster.
He was calm, got his message across nicely, and they also liked the idea of him bringing in John Plumtree, Greg Feek and Brad Mooar (all had experience of coaching offshore) to join incumbent defence mentor Scott McLeod on the coaching staff.
So, rather than take a risk by appointing the eclectic Robertson, the panel recommended Foster be All Blacks coach. The NZ Rugby board endorsed the decision, Foster was offered a two-year contract and the deal was done.
Not everyone was happy. Although Foster had the support of Hansen, along with leading All Blacks such as Beauden Barrett, there was disquiet among rugby punters about his lack of success with the Chiefs.
Unlike Robertson who had won three Super Rugby titles in as many years at the Crusaders (and has since won three more), Foster’s most notable achievement in seven seasons at the Chiefs was a final against the Bulls in Pretoria. And they were thrashed.
Last August NZ Rugby extended Foster’s contract through to the 2023 World Cup in France, the rationale being that under his guidance the All Blacks’ players and management team needed certainty to plan for the future.
It was a controversial call. Now it has come back to bite NZ Rugby.
The All Blacks have since plummeted to No 4 on the World Rugby rankings – an all-time low – and have lost four of their last five tests, including the historic 2-1 series loss to Ireland on New Zealand soil.
Foster, who sacked Plumtree and Mooar after the Ireland series and brought in respected Crusaders forwards coach Jason Ryan, is himself in danger of being dumped by NZ Rugby. If the All Blacks lose their two tests in South Africa, Foster could be toast.
He hasn’t been the only one forced to extinguish multiple fires. So, too, has NZ Rugby.
The gulf between the administration, board and All Blacks seems to be getting wider every week and Hansen recently launched a blistering attack on NZ Rugby and the board, saying the relationship between them and the professional players was ‘‘probably the worst it’s ever been’’.
To try to understand what has caused the mighty All Blacks to stumble, it’s best to begin by analysing Foster’s reign followed by a dig into the detail of what makes NZ Rugby and the All Blacks tick.
Is it really that bad?
It’s pretty bad.
Robinson’s refusal to say Foster would keep his job if the All Blacks failed to arrest their form slump during the two Rugby Championship tests in South Africa was telling. Maybe if Foster wins one test, NZ Rugby could be lenient. Two defeats could result in him being cast aside.
To put Foster’s record in perspective, assess the numbers.
Since he took control of the All Blacks in 2020 the team has won 67% of their tests. By the remarkably high standards of this famous team, that conversion rate is poor.
Under Hansen (2012-2019) and Henry (2004-2011) the All Blacks won 87% and 85%, respectively.
Foster has several significant blemishes on his record. Until the defeat in Sydney in 2020, the All Blacks had never lost to Argentina. The loss to Ireland in Dunedin was the first time the All Blacks had been beaten by that opponent in New Zealand.
On the flip side, the All Blacks prevented the Aussies getting their hands on the Bledisloe Cup.
Make no mistake: Foster is fighting for his All Blacks coaching career in South Africa.
It’s not just his fault though, is it?
Not necessarily. Hansen, for instance, has criticised NZ Rugby’s relationship with the professional players.
Hansen, having described Foster as a ‘‘very good coach’’, said the board shunted out former CEO Steve Tew after 2019.
Does Hansen have a point? Let’s start with his views on Foster.
Hansen has always been in Foster’s corner. When he stepped down after the 2019 World Cup, Hansen publicly and privately endorsed ‘‘Fozzie’’ as the best man to replace him.
Given Hansen’s achievements, notwithstanding the 2019 World Cup misfire, his advice in regard to Foster won’t have been ignored by the NZ Rugby decision-makers.
The accusation that Tew, who had been the CEO since late 2007, was forced out and replaced by Robinson, has been hotly denied by NZ Rugby insiders.
They say Tew had done his time and there was no obvious acrimony upon his departure.
It’s also important to remember that Hansen and Tew are good friends. Both big men, with strong personalities, they became acquainted with each other while working for the Canterbury Rugby Football Union.
The Tew-Hansen partnership was excellent for NZ Rugby; the All Blacks were dominant for long periods, and won the World Cup in 2015.
Tew was asked for comment for this piece but couldn’t be reached.
What about Robinson then? Is he the right person to lead NZ Rugby?
Ex-All Blacks midfielder Robinson walked into a blast furnace when he replaced Tew in early 2020.
Within months of taking office he had to deal with the mayhem created by Covid-19 as the world went into lockdown, reducing NZ Rugby’s revenues to a trickle after the competitions shut down and forced staff redundancies.
Public spats with Rugby Australia about various issues, mainly the future of Super Rugby, and disagreements with the Players’ Association about a lack of consultation in regard to a deal with US private equity firm Silver Lake (providing for Silver Lake to take a sizeable stake in the New Zealand game) tarnished NZ Rugby’s image.
Despite the multiple dramas, NZ Rugby announced a $5.5 million profit for 2021, a significant turnaround from the $34 million loss reported in 2020.
As one industry insider said: ‘‘Robbo has had to stick his mouth over the fire hose since he walked into that job’’.
It’s understood Robinson still has the full support of the board.
Robinson, who earned a master’s degree with honours in political studies and philosophy at Cambridge University in England, may not be as bullish as Tew, but he’s no pushover. His decision to produce a strongly-worded statement about Foster after the ‘‘unacceptable’’ series loss to Ireland reinforced this.
And Scott Robertson then? Should NZ Rugby have appointed him as All Blacks coach?
Maybe. Apart from not articulating himself as well as he would have liked when presented with a tricky question from Henry during the All Blacks’ job interview, Robertson has hardly put a foot wrong. Six Super Rugby titles speaks volumes.
Don’t be fooled by Robertson’s breakdancing routines. He’s a rare talent who possesses a sharp rugby brain; he has the ability to identify talented players, keep them motivated and produce excellent game plans.
If Robertson had been appointed All Blacks coach instead of Foster he would have recruited Leon MacDonald, Jason Holland, Scott McLeod and Ryan as assistants.
Robertson’s recent declaration he would be prepared to coach another country at the 2027 World Cup is a worry. It also puts more pressure on Foster and NZ Rugby.
Is All Blacks captain Sam Cane also under pressure?
He is, for several reasons.
The most obvious question is whether Cane, who has played 80 tests since 2012, is the best openside flanker in New Zealand. With Ardie Savea also in the squad, it could be argued he isn’t.
Comparisons between Cane and former All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw are inevitable; despite the latter retiring in 2015, the great No 7 still casts a long shadow.
For a team to be at its best, the captain must have the full respect of everyone around him – especially the senior players.
Cane is understood to be well regarded as a person and liked. But it will be difficult for him to ignore the ongoing speculation about his performances.
What about ex-Ireland coach Joe Schmidt?
Foster has brought in former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt as an independent selector following the retirement of Grant Fox after the Irish series.
Schmidt could be a contender for the All Blacks job in the future, but is reluctant to travel because youngest son Luke has epilepsy.
Schmidt is not with the All Blacks in South Africa.
During his time in charge of Ireland, between 2013-19, Schmidt guided the team to its first-ever win over the All Blacks and won three Six Nations titles.
However, he couldn’t get Ireland past the quarterfinal stages at the 2015 and 2019 World Cup tournaments.
What about the NZ Rugby board? Where do they fit in?
Stewart Mitchell, who replaced previous chair Brent Impey at last year’s annual meeting, heads a ninestrong board.
Unlike Impey, who became more vocal during the bitter exchanges with
Rugby Australia and the Players’ Association towards the end of his term, Mitchell has largely stayed out of the public eye.
It’s understood Cantabrian
Mitchell, a business consultant with more than 30 years experience in governance, has been proactive in mending bridges with Rugby Australia and the Players’ Association.
Despite his efforts he, along with Robinson, were blind-sided when Rugby Australia chair Hamish McLennan went public by saying the Aussies may exit Super Rugby after 2023. That saga is far from over.
Mitchell’s supporters say he was the right man to lead NZ Rugby during the Silver Lake saga, but others reckoned it was a conservative choice.
Speculation that ex-Black Fern Dr Farah Palmer, a board member since 2016, could replace Impey was wide of the mark. Palmer didn’t put her name forward.
Sound governance is vital for any organisation, let alone one that is as big as NZ Rugby which now brings in revenue of around $270 million per annum.
Keep in mind, though, the All Blacks head coach reports to the CEO, not the board.
What will Silver Lake make of all this?
It will be watching every move. Silver Lake was eager to do business with NZ Rugby because of one thing – the mighty All Blacks brand. Although Silver Lake won’t have input into how NZ Rugby runs the All Blacks, the company’s representatives will have watched the team’s fortunes slump under Foster.
A series loss to Ireland is hardly a rosy way to kick things off. The All Blacks sevens and Black Ferns (who won gold at the Olympics last year) sevens teams could only secure bronze at the Commonwealth Games. Meanwhile, the Black Ferns 15s team, who lost all four games against England and France last year, are in rebuild mode after the resignation of Glenn Moore. Moore, who walked away after a review into the team’s culture, has been replaced by director of rugby
Wayne Smith ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand later this year. NZ Rugby will be desperate for the Black Ferns to make the final. If anyone can turn the team’s fortunes around, it is the highly regarded Smith.
Anyone else I should keep an eye on? Are there any other key players in this game?
Yes. Players’ Association boss Rob Nichol is arguably the most powerful figure in New Zealand rugby.
NZ Rugby tried to ram through the deal with Silver Lake and look where it got them. When Nichol wants to make a point, NZ Rugby must tread carefully.
Nichol, along with president David Kirk, who captained the All Blacks when they won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, pushed back twice as hard when NZ Rugby failed to give the professional players the respect they felt they deserved.
NZ Rugby learned a valuable lesson; you take-on the Players’ Association at your peril.
Without the consent of the players, as per the collective agreement, the Silver Lake deal couldn’t go through. Eventually all parties came to an agreement, but it would be naive to think the two parties are on good terms.
The Players’ Association board is loaded with 10 players who don’t have an extensive background in governance or financial analysis. Doug Wilson and Tammi Wilson Uluinayau are the independent board members.
Nichol is also a good friend with former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, and McCaw, along with the likes of Kieran Read and Conrad Smith, was involved in the Silver Lake negotiations.
Following the approval of the Silver Lake partnership, a separate revenue-generating side of the business, called NZR CommercialCo, was to be established.
Before we finish, should we read much into the cancellation of Foster’s press conference the day after the loss to Ireland in the third test a big deal?
Probably not. But still it wasn’t a great look.
While the fans probably didn’t really care about the media’s gripes, the call to hide Foster from public scrutiny wasn’t helpful.
It simply added to the perception that the under-pressure coach and NZ Rugby were running for cover, rather than fronting up to their responsibilities.
Foster, however, later stated he was unaware of the appointment with the media. If he had known, he said, he would have attended.
All Blacks media adviser Jo Malcolm subsequently said it was her decision to spike the press conference, explaining on social media she did so because the media ‘‘wanted blood’’.
She responded on social media after ex-NZ Rugby communications manager Mike Jaspers took his old employer to task. The messy drama may not have been a major, but it hints that all was not well within the All Blacks camp.
So, what’s the big takeaway from all of this?
The first is that, compared to the era under Hansen and Tew, there’s been a lack of harmony between the All Blacks and NZ Rugby in recent years.
Cracks in the relationship between NZ Rugby and the Players’ Association (which has five senior All Blacks on the board, including Cane) first appeared during the Silver Lake saga. The task of rebuilding trust between the two parties is likely to take time.
The All Blacks’ poor performances, which have led to Foster and Cane being put under intense scrutiny, have done little to repair the wounds. This is likely to have created a siege mentality within the All Blacks. Which, in itself is not unusual, for this team. Following the loss to Ireland in the third test, fans got a rare insight into how the multi-layered NZ Rugby communications machine operates. It appeared to be well out of sync.
Malcolm’s decision to call off Foster’s press conference was done without consultation with NZ Rugby and Foster. To see Foster tell the media waiting outside the team hotel that he had ‘‘no idea’’ why the press conference was canned, was a poor look.
And several hours later, Robinson issued his statement saying Foster would be called to account in the wake of the 2-1 series defeat to the Irish.
Still, if Foster guides the All Blacks to two wins in South Africa, he will take much of the heat off himself, his players and NZ Rugby.
That’s not to say he won’t continue to be under the harsh spotlight. He should, however, keep his job.
But if the All Blacks fail to secure at least one victory in the republic, all bets are off. Robinson, Mitchell and his board will be called upon to show leadership, be bold and make a tough call.
This, in all likelihood, will mean Foster’s career as All Blacks coach is over.