Foster's All Blacks won't get let off the hook with patty-cake fixtures this year
The old boys’ network have reason to be nervous.
Sure, Super Rugby Pacific might be putting you to sleep, but fear not New Zealand footy fans.
For the first time since we started paying players over the table, in 1996, professional rugby might finally be upon us.
Yes, a test season has arrived that could shame New Zealand Rugby (NZR) into acting like a proper outfit. No more amateur ethos, no more jobs for the boys, we stand on the precipice of seeing an All Blacks coach sacked prior to their contract expiring.
We’ve got Ireland here for a test series, two matches against the Springboks in South Africa and a home-and-away Bledisloe Cup.
There’s no Tonga to towel up. No Fiji to flog.
No, just some respectable opposition that could put NZR’s courage to the test.
Yes, we’re dealing with might be’s and could be’s here, but let’s just crystal ball gaze for a minute.
Could the All Blacks lose to Ireland? Could they lose one or both of their Rugby Championship clashes with South Africa? Could they share the spoils in their two tests against Australia?
If nothing else, I know I’ll be watching when these matches roll around.
But imagine if Foster’s All Blacks struggle and imagine if this type of scenario does play out. What’ll happen then?
Sackings are part and parcel of true professional sport, but anathema to how we do things here.
New Zealand coaches largely see their contracts out, particularly rugby ones.
But Foster’s has been an underwhelming tenure thus far, punctuated by losses to Australia, Argentina, Ireland and France. Selections and tactics have caused head scratching, allied to a general alarm at seeing the All Blacks’ pack dismantled on occasions.
So far NZR have stuck solid, extending Foster’s contract until 2023 despite him doing next-to-nothing to deserve that.
You assume that was to create certainty and quell any speculation that the head coach’s position could be in question.
But, seriously, what if Ireland do come here and do turn the All Blacks over and do win their first test on our soil? What then? Heaven forbid the Irish might go the whole hog and win the actual series.
I guarantee you questions about Foster’s suitability will be running rampant then.
The opposite could prove true too. The All Blacks could comfortably account for Ireland, then go to South Africa and sort out the Springboks. At that point NZR and Foster would be impregnable and some would be calling for a contract extension through to 2027.
But, on the balance of what you’ve seen under his watch so far, do you think that’s probable?
I have no personal skin in the game. The team’s results are neither here nor there to me.
What’s always intrigued me is the way NZR do their business.
Who counts among their favoured few and who doesn’t? Who within the organisation is capable of making a brave decision and who isn’t?
There’s many people beyond the hallways of NZR HQ who regard succession as a flawed system by which to appoint coaches. But, for as long as Foster can win enough games, NZR can continue to justify his appointment.
So what’s acceptable to you, in terms of wins and losses this year? And how grumpy will you get if that threshold’s not met?
It makes for a fascinating test season, with the potential to create the intensity and interest that the game sorely needs right now.
Fan apathy is worse than anger, but I think that’s where people are. They assumed NZR would pick Foster as coach and have struggled to warm to him and the team since.
Far from being irate when the team lost to Ireland and France last year, many were at the point where they weren’t actually watching anymore.
Well, I reckon they’ll be watching this year, with family and friends round, maybe a few beers on board.
It’s all very well to lose to Ireland in Dublin or Chicago, but do it on these shores and we’ll see how angry an All Blacks’ fanbase can get.
NZ Rugby might find it hard to complacently maintain the status quo then.
Comments on RugbyPass
Rodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI 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.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 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.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 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.
7 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.
7 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?
46 Go to comments