The Ian Foster era nearly ended in a fairytale as Razor takes a clean slate
Four more years. That’s the harsh reality the All Blacks must come to terms with after a heartbreaking Rugby World Cup final defeat to South Africa by 12-11.
The All Blacks won the possession, territory, carries, clean breaks, rucks, defenders beaten, offloads and lineout count while having the measure of the Springboks scrum. Still, they lost the match 12-11. For 51 minutes they were without Sam Cane.
The All Blacks captain saw red for a tackle that made head contact with Springboks centre Jesse Kriel. Siya Kolisi and Eben Etzebeth escaped the strictest sanction for similar fouls.
A straightforward penalty kick by Handre Pollard hit the post and rebounded over for three Springboks points. Richie Mo’unga and Jordie Barrett narrowly missed crucial kicks for New Zealand.
The cruel bounce of the ball. Ardie Savea was in for a try. Then he wasn’t.
In the 18th minute referee Wayne Barnes appears to apologise to Savea for an incorrect penalty. It cost the All Blacks three points.
All Blacks centre Reiko Ioane looked certain to score in the 36th minute. Then he’s tackled out by Kurt-Lee Arendse.
How did that Springboks asteroid crash into the Stade de France?
A try that Richie Mo’unga created for Aaron Smith was erased for a knock on at a lineout that had happened five phases earlier.
Protocols, which were updated in July 2022, stress incidents should only be reviewed “within two phases.”
A desperate ankle tap by Springboks halfback Faf de Klerk prevents Dalton Papalii from potentially creating a try.
How do you explain the sluggish start and consistently careless passing?
With the clock at 79:45, South Africa feeds a scrum near their own 22. After Barnes called “set”, the packs were steady for a good five seconds, yet de Klerk failed to put the ball in, as the All Blacks were putting on a good shove.
Typically, the sanction would be a free kick. Instead, a reset is called.
The ‘what ifs’ go on and on. They will do for years, and Pieter-Steph du Toit hasn’t been mentioned yet.
The Springboks openside was gargantuan with 28 crushing tackles. The still image of his missile shot to the side of Jordie Barrett’s chest, will (minus the punch) rank alongside Frik Du Preez tackling Chris Laidlaw in 1970 as an embodiment of Springboks toughness. Pieter-Steph du Toit, what a player. The Springboks, a nightmare.
It’s 1995 all over again, except it’s not.
The All Blacks were clearly the best team at the 1995 tournament, a juggernaut on an upwards accent. The following year retribution was brutal, historic, and sweet.
The All Blacks beat the Springboks four times and won a series in the republic after failures in 1928, 1949, 1960, 1970 and 1976.
By contrast the 2023 All Blacks are deeply flawed. While their recent courage and improvement is commendable, a vindication and redemption narrative romantic, the Ian Foster coached All Blacks (32 wins in 46 Tests) have the worst record of any All Blacks team in the professional era.
Between 2020 and 2023 the All Blacks had a losing record against their three strongest opponents, the Springboks (3-4), Ireland (2-3), and France (0-2).
Frighteningly four centurions, Aaron Smith, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Beauden Barrett are set to depart in 2024. That represents the biggest cleanout in talent since 1998 when the likes of Sean Fitzpatrick, Frank Bunce and Zinzan Brooke retired.
Incoming coach Scott Robertson has enjoyed peerless success with the Crusaders. The most important player in that team is Richie Mo’unga. Razor described Mo’unga as his quarter back. Mo’unga is Japan bound.
What’s happened to Bill Belichick at the New England Patriots without Tom Brady? The Patriots haven’t won the Super Bowl.
Robertson’s task rebuilding the All Blacks is immense. His so far impeccable record suggests there is plenty to be excited about. It also adds greater pressure than what already exists to succeed.
How will the All Blacks culture and game plan change? Who will be the key players and personalities that help regain the Rugby World Cup in 2027?
Sam Cane looks likely to continue in New Zealand in 2024. Cane silenced his critics with an epic rearguard in the quarter final victory against Ireland. He is well regarded by his peers, but many of them are moving on. Does Cane have the endurance to last until 2027? Can he even keep the likes of Dalton Papalii, Billy Harmon, Du Plessis Kirifi and Tom Christie at bay in the next 12 months?
Here’s a brazen prediction. In four years, New Zealand Secondary Schools captain Ollie Mathis will be a household name.
Whitelock and Retallick are the most enduringly successful locking partnership in history. Replacing them is Robertson’s hardest task. Scott Barrett is at the peak of his career. He should last another World Cup cycle. He might even captain the All Blacks though his occasional petulance is an asterisk. Who will partner Barrett? Depth appears sparse.
Josh Lord and Tupou Vaa’i have been underwhelming but youth is on their side. Patience in the demanding position is required. Youngsters Fabian Holland, Tahlor Cahill, Zach Gallagher, and Jamie Hannah could emerge as contenders. With regular minutes, Manaaki Selby-Rickit could surface as a strong option. Caleb Delany, Dominic Gardiner, and Naitoa Ah Kuoi are locks or loose forwards with plenty of growth ahead.
Halfback is another considerable challenge. On the tenuous ground of having better defence Finlay Christie was surprisingly preferred to Cam Roigard in the final stages of the World Cup. If Antoine Dupont is the gold standard for a contemporary halfback, then Roigard is closer in approach than Christie.
Excellent Chiefs duo Xavier Roe and Cortez Ratama aren’t bad impersonators either. There is a lot of optimism about the ability of Noah Hotham.
First-five looks set to became Damien McKenzie’s jersey but who’s next? Ruben Love and Stephen Perofeta are enormously gifted but haven’t settled in one position. With his huge left foot and versatility Zarn Sullivan presents something genuinely different. Josh Jacomb was exceptional for Taranaki in their surge to the NPC Premiership. How would he fear in Super Rugby?
Roberston recruited Waikato first-five Taha Kemara to the Crusaders when he was at Hamilton Boys’ High School. Will the New Zealand Under 20s representative fulfil his promise?
Jordie Barret has successfully transitioned into All Blacks second-five. He looks set for a long stay. His combination with Reiko Ioane was resolute but lacks the fluidity and contrast of what Bundee Aki and Gary Ringrose share for Ireland. Unfortunately, there is no Aki like figure in New Zealand. Distribution remains an issue for Ioane. Dallas McLeod has a Ryan Crotty resemblance about him. Would that be better fit? Billy Procter is a coaches favourite. He’s a classical type of centre. Is there a place for David Havili? Daniel Rona could be a darkhorse down the line.
There is a lot to like about the future stock of tight forwards. Jason Ryan has done a sterling job bolstering a deflated pack after the 2022 series defeat to Ireland.
Tyrell Lomax, Tamati Williams, Fletcher Newell, Ollie Jager, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Xavier Numua, Asafo Aumua, George Bell, and Samisoni Taukei’aho are a wealth of riches to work with.
In August an independent governance review concluded the New Zealand Rugby (NZR) board is “not fit for purpose.” Competition restructure is likely due to unsustainable costs and fan apathy.
What will new competition look like? How will new competition effect player depth? Could global market forces seduce NZR into allowing overseas based players to be selected for the All Blacks. The Springboks do it and look at their record.
The Foster era so nearly ended in a fairytale. Instead, it will be remembered as turbulent. Razor represents a clean slate.
Comments on RugbyPass
Fiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to comments