Ian Foster on the cusp of vindication with it all on the line
The Rugby World Cup final offers New Zealand and South Africa the chance to win a fourth title and become the greatest nation in the sport’s modern era.
It also affords one participant, All Blacks coach Ian Foster, another flavour of sporting triumph: vindication.
Or perhaps, redemption. Even revenge.
Just over a year ago, Foster was yesterday’s man, written off and lambasted after a rare run of losses from a team New Zealand respects only as winners.
The team was at a nadir.
Season-ending losses in Dublin and Paris were followed by a series loss to Ireland, the All Blacks’ first home series defeat in three decades.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) was in damage control: the team cancelled planned media engagements and stopped posting on social media for a week, fearing negative reactions.
When Foster emerged from witness protection for a three-minute press conference as shambolic as their on-field efforts, he spoke like a man resigned to an uncertain fate.
“There’s no doubt I’m under pressure. But I’m always under pressure and I’ve always felt that pressure,” he said.
Then came a 26-10 Rugby Championship loss to South Africa in Mbombela, their fifth loss in six, parking the team at their lowest-ever world ranking of fifth.
The country’s biggest-selling daily newspaper, the New Zealand Herald, was moved to issue a rare front-page editorial: “Ian Foster and the All Blacks: It’s time for change.”
“The Herald takes no pleasure in calling for him to go but Foster – a decent man who is out of his depth in a brutal business – must exit,” the August 8, 2022, editorial read.
“It’s the manner of the defeats that really counts.
“Foster’s men are too easily put off their stride and too often cluttered and confused.”
Kiwi outlets reported another loss in the following match against the Springboks would see Sir Steve Hansen’s long-term assistant lose his job.
Instead, the All Blacks dug deep with a performance to save the 58-year-old’s neck, a come-from-behind 35-23 classic at Ellis Park in front of 62,000 fans that prompted NZR bosses to pack in around the beleaguered coach.
Amid the crisis, the All Blacks never stooped to Wallabies-style lows.
Under Foster, the team won four Rugby Championships from four, and extended New Zealand’s grip over the Bledisloe Cup into a third decade.
Still, the former fly-half was unloved by Kiwis who wanted change, and NZR – under pressure – offered it.
In March this year, they appointed Crusaders colossus Scott Robertson, a seven-time Super Rugby champion, as incoming All Blacks coach, effectively ending Foster’s tenure at this World Cup – even if they finished world champions.
Robertson, much loved by Kiwis for his attacking, successful brand of rugby and his breakdancing after titles, agitated for that decision, flirting publicly with other national team roles, prompting NZR to sign him up.
Breaking with protocol, Foster gave an interview prior to the appointment urging NZR not to do so as it would offer a distraction to his players.
At the time, it appeared a sure thing the All Blacks would limp out of this World Cup against stiffer opposition.
That looked true as recently as last month, when they followed their worst-ever Test loss – a 35-7 humbling to the Springboks at Twickenham – with an opening night tournament loss to France.
Now they stand on the cusp of glory after four thumpings – of Namibia, Italy, Uruguay and Argentina – and an all-time classic win over Ireland in the quarter-final.
“It’s fantastic,” Foster told Newstalk ZB on Friday, deflecting his personal struggles to instead praise his team.
“I know we’ve walked a bit of a journey. That’s life.
“What that has done is build this team’s character. A bit of adversity has never killed anyone as long as you don’t sulk about it but you roll your sleeves up and get stuck into it.
“I know we’ve surprised a few people by being here but we haven’t surprised ourselves.
“We’re where we need to be right now. I’m excited about the group and what we have achieved.
“We just want to go and play in a pretty special occasion and play the game we want to play. That will hold us in good stead.”
Foster, a quietly-spoken salt of the earth type, offered no hint of personal slight as he prepared for the showpiece match.
Instead, New Zealand’s top rating broadcaster Mike Hosking gave the alternative storyline full voice with his editorial on Friday.
“If Foster wins this, how good is that story?” he said.
“Bagged, bullied, treated abysmally by his employers, and yet victorious.
“The best in the world … and a massive middle finger he is far too gracious to expose for a period of his career he never deserved, and must have wondered at times if being a tall poppy in a country that hates tall poppies, whether it was worth it.
“The redemption story to beat them all.”
Comments on RugbyPass
This article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
1 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
226 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
226 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
18 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
18 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
2 Go to commentsAustralian Rugby has been a disaster, by not incorporating learning from previous successful campaigns. QLD Reds 2011 - Waratahs 2014. Players, coaches and administrators appoint there representatives for scheduled meetings, organisation’s agreement’s assessments and correspondence. This why a unified Rugby Union under one entity works. Every Rugby nation has taken that path. Was most difficult in the Northern hemisphere with over 100 years of club rugby before the game become professional. Took a lot of humility for those unions to eventually work together.
7 Go to comments