All Blacks 'rebuild' called into question by pundits as strategy not clear

Ian Foster’s post-match comments about an All Blacks ‘rebuild’ have confused fans and pundits alike as the side continues to select mostly the same match day 23.

Many upset All Black supporters would have hung around on Saturday night after the historic loss to the Pumas hoping to hear an explanation.

The words they were met with were not ones that sat atop their Christmas wish-list:

“As I’ve said over the last few weeks, we are a team that’s rebuilding,” Foster said in his post-match press conference.

“Rebuilding” is a term that has since divided, confused and disappointed Kiwi pundits.

What exactly a rebuild means in the context of an All Blacks team, especially the current one, is unclear.

Former Blues hooker James Parsons of The Aotearoa Rugby Pod used the Black Ferns as an example of what a successful rebuild looks like.

“If you look at the amount of changes every week, every test there’s opportunity created for players to put their hand up, to make the World Cup squad and set the tone of that competitive edge within that group,” he said.

“It’s working, and they’re still having the ability to win test matches.”

The former All Black hooker didn’t see the same approach being taken by Foster and his staff, calling into question the ‘rebuild’ label.

“Whereas [with the All Blacks] we have seen quite a consistent form of selection for a while now in those key (areas),” he explained.

“If I was a player and I heard coach talk about rebuilding, you’d probably have to expect a few changes this week.

“If that is the case, give guys opportunities, Hoskins [Sotutu], Roger [Tuivasa-Sheck], Stevey [Perofeta].”

The question over whether the All Blacks were rebuilding was also hotly debated on this week’s episode of The Breakdown.

Former All Black fullback Mils Muiaina voiced his frustrations to the panel about unrealistic expectations being placed on the side.

“Are we being realistic about where and how close we are, we’re not dominant like we used to be,” he said.

“We’re not going to get back to those (dominant) stages in the next two to three test matches.

“We’ve got to be patient about where these guys are heading”

The ideal timeline for the All Blacks to start winning to appease the New Zealand public is in time for next year’s World Cup.

Regardless, Muliaina challenged New Zealand’s unwavering demand for winning rugby.

“Are we prepared to lose, to win later on?” Muliaina questioned.