Sir Steve Hansen warns NZRU over coaching 'distraction'
World Cup winning coach Sir Steve Hansen has issued a warning to the New Zealand Rugby Union.
After a tough international campaign – which was somewhat disastrous considering the All Blacks’ incredibly high standards – speculation has been rife over Ian Foster’s future.
Head coach Foster, who replaced Hansen after the unsuccessful 2019 World Cup, appeared to be under genuine pressure to remain in charge following a run of poor results earlier this year.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson rapidly became the people’s favourite to take over the coveted position, as fans dared to dream about the dawn of a new era with the super coach.
But regardless of what the future holds for Foster, Robertson or another worthy candidate, Hansen believes the NZRU have to wait until after the World Cup to announce a decision.
“I think they (NZ Rugby) have to be really aware of the effect of naming a new coach before a World Cup,” Hansen told Stuff.
“You don’t need the distraction. You don’t want someone distracting, because he’s – if they appoint a new coach – all excited and starts having conversations that aren’t necessarily until after the World Cup.
“And the ironic thing is that if they win the World Cup, what do they do with Ian Foster if they have already appointed someone? So they are between a rock and a hard place.”
The All Blacks are expected to win every time they don the famous black jersey.
The legacy of the team, and the responsibility that creates to do it justice, expects a lot of everyone who is privileged enough to call themselves All Blacks.
This pressure made the start of their 2022 campaign so shocking.
New Zealand began their season with an emphatic win over World No 1 Ireland at Eden Park, but the men in black fell apart during their next few tests.
Ireland won their first test against the All Blacks on New Zealand soil,, before creating more history a week later – winning the series in dramatic circumstances.
Foster was under immense pressure ahead of a two-match tour to South Africa, but a valiant win at Ellis Park seemingly saved the 57-year-old.
But disastrous stuck soon after.
The pressure was back on the All Blacks and Foster after an historic loss to Argentina in Christchurch.
While the men in black won The Rugby Championship, and went seven tests undefeated to finish their season, many supporters would welcome a change.
But Hansen explained why a coaching change would derail the All Blacks World Cup preparation.
“I think if you are going to name a new coach before the World Cup’s over, then you have got people looking at who is the boss, and looking at two different people,” he added.
“That is a possible derailer; and you don’t want that. Then there is the other side of it, we don’t want to lose people.
“I think they (NZ Rugby) need to sit down and if they make a decision to do it (appoint the next coach before the World Cup), they would have to put some boundaries around what the incumbent coach could and couldn’t do.
“Basically I think he should be told, and then leave it at that until such time as the World Cup is over, and then announce it.”
The All Blacks turned a corner during their end-of-season tour, as they recorded a statement win over Wales at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
But they’re by no means the favourites for next year’s World Cup.
World No. 2 France went undefeated throughout a stunning season, while Ireland reached new heights in 2022.
“I think France probably are the favourites, but that could be a hindrance or add a lot of pressure to them.
“We knew what that was like in 2011, so you have got to deal with that and all the things that come with playing at home.
“But they are playing very well, Ireland have got their own monkey to get off their back, haven’t they? They haven’t really gone that well at World Cups. They are playing good footy at the moment.
“South Africa are always tough, England will be tough and I think the All Blacks are going to be very tough.”
Comments on RugbyPass
It couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
25 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
25 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
77 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
44 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to comments