IT’S NOW OR NEVER
Foster’s optimism springs eternal but it’s past time to deliver for the heartland fans
Here we are, again. Back in the recurring cycle of hope, lost faith, frustration. New destination, same theme: where art thou All Blacks? The blueprint of the supposed Ellis Park turning point seems a lifetime ago. That trumpeted new dawn from NZ Rugby headquarters faded faster than it rose on the Johannesburg highveld.
From another historic low, in Scott Robertson country no less, to Ian Foster’s home town.
Surely, if the All Blacks are going to perform for their embattled coach it is here, in his backyard, where he guided Waikato from first five-eighth through 148 games, as the intense scrutiny on his tenure returns a mere two weeks after his knife-edge retention through to next year’s World Cup.
“She’s a tough job to get away from, particularly in a test week,” the resolute Foster said this week, cutting a relaxed figure as he wandered Waikato Stadium with his grandson yesterday. “I haven’t wanted to get away but it’s good to be home. There’s nothing like sleeping in your own bed. I’ve loved that. I’ve figured out my wife still loves me which is important.
“I’m really proud of being from this region. It’s been a big part of my rugby so there’s a lot of pride about being involved with the All Blacks in this part of the world. I’d love nothing better than to put a performance on the park that shows that.”
To achieve that the All Blacks must again rise from the depths of the disillusionment after their last quarter collapse in the maiden home loss to the Pumas.
Once more the All Blacks are charged with starting the restoration of their revered legacy, and starving off consuming pressure.
Sound familiar? That’s because Foster’s All Blacks have lost six of their last eight tests. Only twice in their storied 119-year history — 1949 and 1998 — has this team suffered more defeats in a single season. Seven more tests await this year, too. Five of those away from home.
Like his loyal coach, Sam
Cane’s captaincy and the balance of the loose forwards continues tobea focal flashpoint. Cane was outwardly emotional on the sideline as the whistle sounded on the Ellis Park triumph, only to be left fronting another losing press conference two weeks later in Christchurch.
“The highs and lows of professional sport are real,” Cane said, candidly. “The highs of something like that and the low of last week, it tests your resilience and character. You’ve got to pick yourself back up and focus on what’s important and go again. There’s no point sulking or dwelling on things. When you put your energy into things you can control, that helps. You have to front up and own it,” he said.
Dane Coles, the straight shooting 82-test veteran, offered a typically succinct summation of the challenge. “Everyone has to stand up, take accountability. If someone comes at you for not doing the job right you’ve got to get on with it and take the feedback on board.” Results aside, the All Blacks have threatened signs of genuine improvement — evidence they are not, in fact, broken beyond repair. Their new-look scrum was supremely dominant last week. They claimed the opening try against the Pumas through a powerful maul. Those elements under forwards coach Jason Ryan have vastly improved.
At this point, though, results are all that matters. Projections of development and rebuilding don’t wash with performances so consistently patchy.
Pumas coach Michael Cheika is savvy enough to discredit the notion that this All Blacks team is a lesser version of those before them.
“There’s absolutely no benefit for any of us to be thinking like that at all,” Cheika said. “I’ve read the book once, the Gates of Fire. This is a little bit like 300. We’re here, there’s just a few of us, and everyone in New Zealand is coming at us. This week is not going to be any different. “We’re about as underdog as they get. You win once so no one then expects you to win again. The guys who need to believe we can do it is us. That’s what we need to go into the game with.”
At this low ebb, the All Blacks appear to be fighting battles within as much as they are the opposition.
Foster was asked what if this week doesn’t go to plan. “I don’t think like that,” Foster replied. “I’m an optimist.”
Those among All Blacks fans are nearing extinction. It’s now or never to start winning them back.