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It isn't Ian Foster in the cross hairs this weekend after shock loss
New Zealand Rugby and not head coach Ian Foster are in the crosshairs on social media this weekend after the All Blacks‘ latest shock loss.
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Michael Cheika’s Argentina successfully raided Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch to grab a 25-18 Rugby Championship victory, their first on New Zealand soil.
The horror loss comes just days after the union committed themselves to Foster until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, giving the 57-year-old their ‘full support’.
NZR’s Board has given their full support to Ian Foster and his coaching group, which now includes Joe Schmidt on a full time basis. pic.twitter.com/bLqKnCZkib
— New Zealand Rugby (@NZRugby) August 17, 2022
Yet unlike previous weekends where Foster and Sam Cane were the focus of the public’s ire, this time it is the NZR who are taking flak for persisting with the under-pressure head coach.
Aussie journalist and broadcaster Christy Doran wrote: “Is it time to talk about Ian Foster again? Wow. Huge result brewing in ‘Razor’ country with Argentina leading the All Blacks in Christchurch 25-18 in 71st minute.”
Is it time to talk about Ian Foster again?
Wow.
Huge result brewing in ‘Razor’ country with Argentina leading the All Blacks in Christchurch 25-18 in 71st minute.
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) August 27, 2022
South African journalist Brendan Nel posted: “Wonder how NZ is feeling about Ian Foster now?”
Wonder how nz is feeling about ian foster now?
— Brenden Nel (@Brendennel) August 27, 2022
Newstalk ZB journalist Reid Etherington observed: “As an Arsenal fan, I know exactly how All Blacks fans feel about Ian Foster. But I never want to relive that again. NZR really shot themselves in the foot here.”
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As an Arsenal fan, I know exactly how All Blacks fans feel about Ian Foster. But I never want to relive that again. NZR really shot themselves in the foot here
— Reid Etherington (@retherington98) August 27, 2022
Telegraph journalist Jamie Pandaram wrote: “Argentina defeat All Blacks for the first time in NZ, 25-18, right after Ian Foster is guaranteed his job until the 2023 World Cup. I restate my position, 2022 is the Wallabies’ best chance to win back the Bledisloe.”
Argentina defeat All Blacks for the first time in NZ, 25-18, right after Ian Foster is guaranteed his job until the 2023 World Cup. I restate my position, 2022 is the Wallabies' best chance to win back the Bledisloe
— Jamie Pandaram (@JamiePandaram) August 27, 2022
Radio New Zealand’s Jamie Wall certainly didn’t mince his words: ‘SACK. THE. F***ING. BOARD.’
SACK. THE. FUCKING. BOARD.
— Jamie Wall (@JamieWall2) August 27, 2022
Andrew Maseko was in agreement: “After this All Blacks loss, New Zealand Ruby Board should be fired. NZR picked Ian Foster as coach against wiser counsel, had a review after losses last year, kept him, a review after they lost the series to Ireland, kept him, had a review after the Bok loss and kept him.”
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After this @AllBlacks loss, New Zealand Ruby Board should be fired. NZR picked Ian Foster as coach against wiser counsel, had a review after losses last year, kept him, a review after they lost the series to Ireland, kept him, had a review after the Bok loss & kept him #NZLvARG
— Andrew Maseko (@NqobileMaseko) August 27, 2022
There were many others in a similar vein:
NZR board will be in Ubers to the airport about now #NZvARG
— Brian Ashby (@BrianAshby2) August 27, 2022
If what they say is true and the AB win and the senior players speaking up was the only thing that saved Foster then NZR Board should all resign immediately – disgraceful
— Frog the Keeper (@Frogthekeeper) August 27, 2022
Boy am I glad that we retained the Foster & Cane combo. Great call from NZR.
How you feeling silverlake?
— Aaron Bryant (@AaronIBryant) August 27, 2022
Thank you again to the NZR for keeping Ian Foster in his job ?? #NZLvARG
— Travis (@Travman6746) August 27, 2022
Hate to make it about the AB’s because the Pumas deserve all the credit. But surely Cane and Foster are cooked now. Poor blokes are going to be the scape goats. #NZLvARG
— Rugby Report Card (@rugby_podcast) August 27, 2022
Japan Times journalist Dan Orlowitz asked: “Does Foster still have the full confidence of NZR after this?”
Does Foster still have the full confidence of NZR after this? https://t.co/qruM2VVVHo
— Dan Orlowitz (@aishiterutokyo) August 27, 2022
It’s going to be another difficult week for everyone in the All Blacks camp and New Zealand Rugby but this time they don’t appear to have the option of switching things up in the coaching ticket.
Comments on RugbyPass
Think it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
1 Go to commentsJust came back from the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Players stayed afterwards for more than a hour to sign stuff and take photos with fans. Great day out.
5 Go to commentsA great game. The Sharks without Etsebeth are a shadow of the team compared to when he plays. The limitations of Some of the expensive Sharks players are being exposed. Credit to Clermont for some exhilaration play at times.
5 Go to comments100% Mr Owens. But who would want to be a referee.? It must be the most difficult job on earth.
1 Go to commentsStarts to be overdone and oversold this systematic SA narrative…which nevertheless has the merit in this case to recognise blatant refereeing mistakes in their favor
5 Go to commentsNice article. Shades of Steinbeck. They can win the final if they take the game seriously; but only if they take it seriously.
5 Go to commentsWhat a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
3 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
3 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
235 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
4 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
90 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 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
30 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
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