NZR boss Robinson breaks silence and sparks confusion over Foster
New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson has broken his silence on the messy post-Ireland Test series loss fallout – but he tellingly refused to back the position of Ian Foster as All Blacks head coach beyond the upcoming two-game series away to the Springboks.
Robinson has been subject to stinging criticism in the fallout since the series-deciding loss in Wellington a fortnight ago, with a reshuffle of the Foster assistants following by personal attacks from ex-All Blacks boss Steve Hansen and former NZR CEO David Moffett, the latter claiming he should fly home from the Commonwealth Games in Britain and write his resignation letter.
The NZR boss insisted he would be doing no such thing, having finally broken cover and fronted up in an extensive interview with Newstalk ZB’s Jason Pine. First things first though, his curious comments about the status of Foster, the All Blacks coach with a contract through to the 2023 World Cup finals who has flown out to South Africa with his squad for the back-to-back Rugby Championship matches in Nelspruit and Johannesburg.
“As we have signalled he [Foster] is certainly the person to lead the team to South Africa and we are making sure that we have got everything possible in the way of resourcing and support to make sure that is successful,” he said before getting asked what might happen if the All Blacks losing streak of four losses in five became six losses in seven.
“I’m not going to speculate on things like that. We are really focused and have spent time in the last ten days primarily around focusing on our people internally when the sorts of things that have been going on with the speculation, and then making sure the team and then the management team have what they need to succeed.”
Here is what Robinson has to say about other hot topics, beginning with this week’s claims by Crusaders boss Scott Robertson on The Big Jim Show that he was open to offers from rival countries. “We certainly understand the sentiment of our fans, that has been coming through loud and clear. We know Razor has a huge amount to offer the game in New Zealand in the future and we’ve obviously got a contract with him around that. Commenting any further on that wouldn’t be appropriate.”
On Hansen: “He is someone I have known for a long time and I know he is passionate about the game and New Zealand. He has made a great contribution to it. I have certainly reached out to him and we will have a catch-up at some stage. He said some things that I wouldn’t agree with and we will have that conversation. I know he is also incredibly protective of Ian and he is protecting his mate too – and we all understand that.
On Silver Lake: “Regarding the players’ thing [their relationship with NZR], we are working really hard and really well at the moment in that space around things in general, but also with regards to a new partner coming on with Silver Lake. There is no question it went through some challenging times throughout working through bringing an investment partner on but in our minds, we’re well through that.
“The interaction we’re having with Rob (Nichol, the Players’ Association boss) and his team is really constructive and positive. Certainly, the way all the players and all of our camps engage with our teams and our partners also in the work that they do is really positive.”
On Moffett: “The organisation is on a really exciting and solid path at the moment. We have come through covid and obviously some other things around more recently with the disappointment with the series that we have had to contend with but behind the scenes, we are involved in some really exciting, constructive and positive stuff that can transform our game for the future.
“I’m really committed to that, I’m really privileged to be in the role, I love the role and being part of what we’re building at New Zealand Rugby in a really strong team. I came into the role knowing that eventually there would be situations like this where people have strong views around things like that. You have to learn to accept that, don’t you? It’s no different than any of the key public leadership roles in New Zealand.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to comments