'I understand the frustration': Ian Foster issues message to All Blacks fans
Beleaguered All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has issued a message to disenchanted All Blacks fans in the wake of last week’s series defeat to Ireland.
Fronting media to address his side’s shortcomings from their historic loss to the Irish on Friday, Foster acknowledged the frustrations of the New Zealand public as the All Blacks endure their worst rut in recent memory.
Falling to their first-ever home defeats to Ireland, the All Blacks succumbed to their first series loss since 1994 after losing four of their last five tests, leaving them in a worst-ever World Rugby rankings of fourth place.
As such, New Zealand Rugby [NZR] was under immense external pressure to relieve Foster of his duties as All Blacks boss, but the national governing body stuck by their man, even in spite of chief executive Mark Robinson’s comments that recent results have been “not acceptable”.
Instead, changes to Foster’s team of assistants – John Plumtree, Brad Mooar, Scott McLeod and Greg Feek – are expected over the coming days.
That won’t be enough to satisfy large portions of All Blacks fans, many of whom had negative reactions to NZR’s retention of Foster.
Aware of the public’s perception towards him, Foster moved to level with fans shortly after the announcement of his All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship.
He started by commenting on the abrupt cancellation of last Sunday’s usual media briefing, which led to an online saga between past and present NZR communications executives.
Acting as All Blacks media manager for the Ireland series, Jo Malcolm revealed in a LinkedIn post that it was her decision, not Foster’s, to can the traditional post-match press conference as she believed the media “wanted blood” from the All Blacks boss.
However, Foster made it clear that he understands his responsibilities to communicate with the Kiwi public via the media.
“I understand the frustration. All I want to say to you, on that regard, is that I, as a head coach, would never, ever not communicate with my fanbase when it’s expected that I communicate with them,” Foster said.
“Whatever happened then, I just want to give that categoric thing – I know my responsibilities to talk to the fanbase, and if I knew that I was supposed to do that, I would do that, all the time.”
He added that he respects the opinions of All Blacks fans who want him gone, but backed himself to overturn his side’s fortunes.
“I love the passion of our fans, and I love the opinions. That is what it is, but I guess all I can assure people is the person that I am and my role in this team. I’m not here for any other reason to do the best thing I can for this team,” Foster said.
“Right now, I can understand frustrations that we’ve lost a series, but my goal and my job is to put perspective around that to make sure we take the lessons and this All Blacks team comes out stronger, and I want to be part of the solution.
“Will there be some change? Yes there will. Like I said, I’ll let you know shortly.”
Asked whether he has felt that some have wanted him to fail as All Blacks coach, Foster reinforced his view that he believes he remains the right man to lead the national side.
“I’m kind of the Covid coach, aren’t I? I don’t know. I can’t control anyone else’s agendas. I’ve never seen this as a popularity contest,” he said.
“Like I said, the All Blacks coach is about connecting with the group of players and believing in them, and you’ve always got to test to see whether you’re the right person there.
“I believe I am, but the comment I made being resilient, well I’ve learned that pretty quickly.”
Foster was also quizzed on how the imminent changes to his coaching set-up, as well as the axing of Pita Gus Sowakula and Karl Tu’inukuafe from his Rugby Championship squad, could be portrayed as scapegoating by the New Zealand public.
He replied by saying that personnel changes within the All Blacks environment are never easy, but are made with the team’s best interests at heart.
“When you make any changes, it goes through that. Nothing’s pleasant, but, at the end of the day, our whole planning is about how can this team improve and do what it needs to do on the park,” Foster said.
“Like I said, I know I’m accountable, but at the moment, when we look at the whole thing, we’ve identified clear areas of change that we think we need, that the group feels we need, and we’re going to instigate that and get stuck into our work.”
Foster will have his first opportunity to put those changes into action when the All Blacks face the Springboks across two tests in South Africa to open their Rugby Championship campaign in a fortnight’s time.
While he admitted that there is intense pressure on him for the All Blacks to perform in those fixtures, Foster spoke highly of the prospect of trying to achieve success against the Springboks.
“There’s a lot riding on it, and what’s riding on it is that we want to get our games going to the levels that we want, and that we want our fanbase and our country to be proud of us, clearly, but what an exciting challenge,” he said.
“We’re going to South Africa, we’ve got two tests in this Rugby Championship, we’ve got both tests away against South Africa.
“Couldn’t be harder in many ways, but when your back’s against the wall a little bit, then this is a great place for the All Blacks to be, and we’ve got to respond.”
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