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'Creeping sense of arrogance': Aussie scribe slams ABs after coaching saga
New Zealand Rugby’s decision to appoint the next All Blacks coach ahead of this year’s World Cup has not gone down well across the ditch.
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An Australian rugby scribe has slammed NZR for their treatment of coach Ian Foster, saying they’ve pushed a “creeping sense of arrogance” onto the All Blacks.
NZR confirmed earlier this week that Scott Robertson would replace Foster as the All Blacks’ head coach following this year’s World Cup in France.
Robertson, who has won six Super Rugby titles in as many years with the Crusaders, had been linked with the position for quite some time.
But after months of headlines and debate, NZR made the appointment official in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
After signing the deal with NZR, a smiling Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson fronted the media for the first time at the New Zealand Rugby House in Wellington.
But the All Blacks still have a World Cup to win this year – and a different man will be coaching the team.
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Journalist Christy Doran said it was “extremely odd” for “the New Zealand public” to welcome a new All Blacks coach ahead of this year’s Test campaign.
“A ball hasn’t really even been kicked from an All Blacks perspective this year, and the New Zealand public are welcoming a new All Blacks coach. It just seems extremely odd,” Doran told Newstalk ZB’s Sportstalk
“It just is extraordinary that an All Blacks coach, a World Cup winning coach, a person that’s been in the system for so, so long has to deal with this.
“I just get the feeling that if, if you’re an All Black and you lose one of the Rugby Championship matches or indeed the first game of the World Cup against France in Pairs on the opening night of the World Cup, there will be a lot of questions asked.
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“It will take an incredibly strong group to get through that and to not lose sight of what the end vision is for this side.”
Ian Foster, who won a World Cup in 2015 as an assistant coach, will carry out his duties in the All Blacks’ hot seat will carry out his duties in the pursuit of rugby immortality later this year.
The All Blacks will look to create history later this year, as they attempt to become the first nation to win the Rugby World Cup for a fourth time.
But regardless of the outcome, Foster’s tenure will come to an end.
Doran believes the All Blacks have a “sense of arrogance” about them now which has been driven by NZR.
“I’m concerned about the All Blacks side that there’s been this creeping sense of arrogance which has been driven from the New Zealand Rugby board and Mark Robinson,” he added.
“We saw it with Super Rugby decisions, we see that with (the) private equity deal that was, you know, it took an extra year to get across the line because the various stakeholders weren’t brought along.
“You see that with the New Zealand public at the moment. A lot of them are pretty angry around the All Blacks and what the All Blacks represents these days, and we’ve seen that creep into the side more and more over the last few years.
“Here was an opportunity, six to seven months ago, to make a bold call, bring in Razor Robertson and they haven’t.
“They shouldn’t have brought him in five months before a World Cup when, you know, they didn’t even have the courage and conviction to make this decision when Ian Foster was around.
“They did it in the middle of the night when the bloke’s asleep. I thought that was a terrible, terrible look.”
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has criticised NZR for their “poor” treatment of Foster.
Jones, who took over from former Australian coach Dave Rennie in January, described the announcement as “inappropriate.”
“I think it’s really poor how New Zealand Rugby have done it,” Jones said on his podcast Eddie.
“Ian Foster’s here now, he’s a good man and he’s given a lot to New Zealand Rugby as assistant coach and now head coach.
“I just think the timing’s inappropriate, leading into a World Cup, naming their coach beforehand just causes another distraction they don’t need.
“Maybe if they had their time again they’d handle it a little bit differently but… that seems to be the way of the world now.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The 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.
5 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
5 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.
5 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
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to comments