1
'Foster can't survive this' - Social media bells toll for All Blacks boss
The rising tide of critics calling for All Blacks head coach Ian Foster to be axed by the NZR has raised another octave following New Zealand’s latest galling loss to Irish.
ADVERTISEMENT
Andy Farrell’s men took the three-Test series 2-1 in Wellington, becoming the first northern hemisphere team to win a series on New Zealand soil since France in 1994.
It was the first time the All Blacks have lost back-to-back Test matches at home since 1998.
While some were more measured, others were gleefully sticking the boot into the 57-year-old on social media. Regardless of whether one feels the public sentiment on these matters might be a tad reactionary, the figures don’t lie and paint a picture of a side that is in a steep decline under Foster’s control.
Renowned broadcaster and commentator Graham Simmons wrote: “What really doesn’t help Ian Foster right now is the fact that the one game in which NZ turned up, he didn’t because of Covid. Tough times.”
What really doesn't help Ian Foster right now is the fact that the one game in which NZ turned up, he didn't because of Covid.
Tough times.
— Graham Simmons (@grahamjsimmons) July 16, 2022
Journalist and broadcaster Christy Doran wrote: “All Blacks lose consecutive Tests in New Zealand for the first time since 1998. They’ve now lost four of their past five Tests under Ian Foster – three of those to Ireland, including tonight 32-22. Under Foster, the All Blacks have lost for the first time to Argentina, too.”
All Blacks lose consecutive Tests in New Zealand for the first time since 1998.
They’ve now lost four of their past five Tests under Ian Foster – three of those to Ireland, including tonight 32-22.
Under Foster, the All Blacks have lost for the first time to Argentina, too.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) July 16, 2022
RugbyPass + writer Owain Jones wrote: “The All Blacks seem to have lost the confidence that was a given for so long. Getting pummeled by Ireland at home is staggering. Are the players poor or do they not believe in their coaching team? Ian Foster under immense pressure.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The All Blacks seem to have lost the confidence that was a given for so long. Getting pummeled by Ireland at home is staggering. Are the players poor or do they not believe in their coaching team? Ian Foster under immense pressure.
— Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) July 16, 2022
South African pundit Mark Keohane, who been milling into Foster for the last few weeks, observed: ‘Ian Foster, reappointed before his team has played anyone in top 5, is now 2/7 v SA, Ire & France.’
Ian Foster, reappointed before his team has played anyone in top 5, is now 2/7 v SA, Ire & France
— Mark Keohane (@mark_keohane) July 16, 2022
“Ian Foster is toast. He has to be dumped if he hasn’t resigned by the end of the match. The All Blacks are being out-thought and outplayed by a brilliant Ireland side, and there seems to be zero plan to the AB game,” noted another account.
Ian Foster is toast. He has to be dumped if he hasn't resigned by the end of the match. The All Blacks are being out-thought and outplayed by a brilliant Ireland side, and there seems to be zero plan to the AB game. #AllBlacks
— RantingMrP (@RantingMrP) July 16, 2022
“We all know that Ian Foster isn’t the right man to turn the All Blacks around, but the decline started under Steve Hansen,” wrote Samuel Hill. “Fans and analysts were in denial when NZ failed to beat the Lions in a series at home – and were speechless when England smashed us at the World Cup.
“Ian Foster can’t survive this. He keeps picking players with no brains. Tu’ungafasi, Fainga’nuku, Ioane, Ioane, Laulala. His captain Cane is invisible. We’re being bullied and bashed because we keep doing dumb stuff. This is probably the worst team we’ve had this century.”
ADVERTISEMENT
https://twitter.com/SamuelHillNZ/status/1545883161023770624
https://twitter.com/SamuelHillNZ/status/1548213170057072648
“There’s a reason Ian Foster never won anything at provincial level. The process of selecting a coach was farcical as well having a former netball coach and banker on the panel. The NZRU don’t have the balls to sack him. They’re all his mates and know nothing about Rugby!” barracked another.
There’s a reason Ian Foster never won anything at provincial level. The process of selecting a coach was farcical as well having a former netball coach and banker on the panel. The NZRU don’t have the balls to sack him. They’re all his mates and know nothing about Rugby!
— ?? (@TennaTweets) July 16, 2022
Other saw the funny side, poking fun at Foster’s miserable run of fortune as head coach.
Ian Foster reminding the team about the game plan at half time pic.twitter.com/jdFDsG39rM
— Ben Thomas (@BenThomasNZ) July 16, 2022
https://twitter.com/MaryAnneGrace9/status/1548215222669717505
RIP Ian Foster.
This is embarrassing.— Mark Stewart (@MarkStewartNZ) July 16, 2022
Someone’s already gone to work on Ian Foster’s Wikipedia page pic.twitter.com/MJotSak4zX
— Tom Day (@tomdaynz) July 16, 2022
Well done Ireland and more importantly congratulations to Ian Foster for another historic moment coaching the All Blacks!
— Sanjay Patel (@spat106) July 16, 2022
The real question is whether the NZR decide the make the call now or go into a Rugby World Cup year in the first shape they’ve been in as a professional team.
Comments on RugbyPass
Except for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
33 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
33 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
33 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
33 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
33 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
33 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
33 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to comments