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Have the All Blacks regressed or is the world just catching up?

By Tom Vinicombe
Jordie Barrett. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

There were plenty of calls around New Zealand following the All Blacks’ less-than-impressive end-of-year tour at the end of last season that head coach Ian Foster simply wasn’t the man to lead the team forward.

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Defeats at the hands of South Africa, Ireland and France capped off a disappointing campaign and a first-ever home loss at the hands of the Irish over the weekend has now reinvigorated Foster’s vocal opposition.

Whichever way you look at it, Foster’s time in charge of the national side – which has seen the All Blacks claim 11 wins from 18 matches against tier-one opposition – has been a disappointment.

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Sam Cane talks to the media ahead of the final test between the All Blacks and Ireland.

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Sam Cane talks to the media ahead of the final test between the All Blacks and Ireland.

But, it’s worth noting that NZ’s dismal record in recent times may not simply be a product of the All Blacks flailing under Foster’s stewardship.

Until 2016, Ireland had never tasted victory over New Zealand but claimed a historic win at Soldier Field in Chicago. On the six occasions since, the spoils have been shared evenly.

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The change in the tide can be partially accredited to a fall in NZ’s standing but it would be disingenuous to suggest that there hasn’t also been a massive growth in Ireland’s game over the past decade.

Ireland have always been a good side but they’ve generally struggled to consistently match it with the likes of England and France in the north, and New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in the south.

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That’s changed in recent times, however, with Ireland transforming themselves throughout Joe Schmidt’s tenure as head coach, and further evolving under the guidance of Andy Farrell.

Over their last three matches against each of the tier-one nations, France and South Africa are the only two sides that Ireland haven’t had the better of.

Australia, Wales and Argentina have won just one of their past five matches against Ireland while Scotland are sitting on five losses.

Ireland have triumphed in their most recent two matches against England and, in fact, France is the only tier-one nation who Ireland didn’t win their most recent match against, with Les Bleus grabbing a six-point victory in Paris during this year’s Six Nations.

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The fact of the matter is, Ireland are an exceptionally well constructed and well coached side and while the All Blacks’ recent run of results against the northerners is less than impressive, the defeat in Chicago was always going to pave the way for greater Irish success.

It’s also worth noting that while the All Blacks have slid down the World Rankings on the back of their latest loss to a historically low fourth place, they will bounce back up to second with a win in Wellington on Saturday evening.

Of course, all of the above is not to suggest that there aren’t changes that could or should be made in the All Blacks’ set-up – but New Zealand’s reign at the top was never going to last forever and a few losses to other nations who are at the peak of their powers is not necessarily the doom and gloom that many are making it out to be.

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Adrian 18 minutes ago
Will the Crusaders' decline spark a slow death for New Zealand rugby?

Thanks Nick The loss of players to OS, injury and retirement is certainly not helping the Crusaders. Ditto the coach. IMO Penny is there to hold the fort and cop the flak until new players and a new coach come through,…and that's understood and accepted by Penny and the Crusaders hierarchy. I think though that what is happening with the Crusaders is an indicator of what is happening with the other NZ SRP teams…..and the other SRP teams for that matter. Not enough money. The money has come via the SR competition and it’s not there anymore. It's in France, Japan and England. Unless or until something is done to make SR more SELLABLE to the NZ/Australia Rugby market AND the world rugby market the $s to keep both the very best players and the next rung down won't be there. They will play away from NZ more and more. I think though that NZ will continue to produce the players and the coaches of sufficient strength for NZ to have the capacity to stay at the top. Whether they do stay at the top as an international team will depend upon whether the money flowing to SRP is somehow restored, or NZ teams play in the Japan comp, or NZ opts to pick from anywhere. As a follower of many sports I’d have to say that the organisation and promotion of Super Rugby has been for the last 20 years closest to the worst I’ve ever seen. This hasn't necessarily been caused by NZ, but it’s happened. Perhaps it can be fixed, perhaps not. The Crusaders are I think a symptom of this, not the cause

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T
Trevor 3 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 7 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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