1
'Absolutely deplorable': Ex-NZR CEO savages 'incompetent' Robinson
Ex-New Zealand Rugby CEO David Moffett has doubled down on last month’s criticism of current NZR boss Mark Robinson, branding the way he has left the future of All Blacks coach Ian Foster in limbo as incompetent. Moffett led the NZR during the early years of the game turning pro, serving as CEO from 1996 to 2000, and on the back of Robinson’s recent trip to the UK to attend the Commonwealth Games, he insisted the CEO should come home and resign.
ADVERTISEMENT
“He [Robinson] should come back to New Zealand and while he is here, write his (NZR) letter of resignation,” said Moffett at the time when it was decided to allow Foster to take charge of the All Blacks for the two-game series in South Africa but with no clarity about his position beyond that.
“It’s debilitating for everyone, but especially the fans. If Robinson cared about the fans he would be here speaking directly to the fans and saying, ‘These are the mistakes we have made, this is what we are doing to correct it and I am going to be accountable’.
“How out of touch are these guys in New Zealand Rugby? Saying nothing is the least favourite option? He should be back here, fronting the media, holding up his hand – not leaving it up to guys like Foster to front the media on this bloody shambles. It’s chaotic in there at the moment.”
With the All Blacks having finished the series against the Springboks by winning last Saturday’s rematch in Johannesburg after losing the previous weekend’s opener in Mbombela, a subsequent media briefing held by Robinson failed to clarify if Foster will be the head coach when the team next plays, the August 27 match at home to Argentina.
It’s a state of flux that Moffett has savaged the indecisive Robinson over during an appearance on the Heather du Plessis-Allan radio show on Newstalk ZB. “I have heard a lot about this non-event that was the presser that he held and all he [Robinson] did was make things worse, dramatically worse,” bemoaned Moffett.
“Whether any of the fans think it should be Foster or it should be Scott Robertson (as head coach), the fact of the matter remains that Foster had been left out to dry by Robinson and I don’t think that is good enough. The average person would say, ‘Well, why don‘t you make a decision and either sack him or back him?’”
ADVERTISEMENT
Moffett gave no indication as to what way the decision will go for Foster when this latest NZR review is completed. “I have no idea at all and by the sound of it neither does Ian Foster, which is absolutely deplorable. This guy has been left hanging now for weeks and weeks.
“Unfortunately, New Zealand Rugby is actually looking like they are a Government department, can’t make a decision, don’t know what to do, we’ll just hold a review, then we will hold another review. The reviews are coming out of their ears. They should have already known what they were going to do and the fact that they didn’t is incompetent.”
Asked if he himself believed that Foster should remain as coach of an All Blacks team that had lost five of its last six matches before last Saturday’s Ellis Park riposte, Moffett added: “It is a very difficult situation.
“When we now talk about coaches, it’s a professional sport and it is all about results and if you have a look at the guy who has just gone to Manchester United, a guy called (Erik) Ten-Hag, he has lost two in a row and they are already people there calling for his head. It just goes with the territory. You either have success or you don’t. That is just the reality of professional sport.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Comments on RugbyPass
I really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
4 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
4 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
4 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
4 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
12 Go to comments