What the All Blacks 'learned' from their unlikely Rugby Championship win
On August 8, his team soundly beaten in South Africa, the bell tolled for All Blacks coach Ian Foster.
After three straight defeats – the team’s worst run this century – the NZ Herald splashed a sullen-faced Foster on its front page with a headline “It’s time for change”.
While New Zealand Rugby didn’t change Foster – as many fans hoped they would – Foster did change the team.
With the benefit of some backroom and on-field tweaks, Foster and the All Blacks woke up Rugby Championship winners on Sunday for the third straight year, the title helping to wash away the troubles of the previous weeks.
The All Blacks belted Australia 40-14 on Saturday night at Eden Park to give themselves a big shot at the title, with South Africa needing to beat Argentina by 39 points in their early Sunday morning contest (AEST) to wrest it away.
The Springboks could only manage a 38-21 win, allowing Foster to flick off the TV in his hotel in the 75th minute, around 5:45am local time, a “very satisfied” man.
“It’s a championship that we stated we wanted to win and we’ve done it the hard way,” a bleary-eyed Foster told journalists a few hours later.
“It’s very special. It’s been a very different journey to other Rugby Championships that we’ve won.
“To do it from behind the eight ball at the start and have to climb through that, it’s not the way we wanted, but it’s really satisfying.”
From the team’s lows in July and August, with two home losses to Ireland, one away to South Africa and one at home to Argentina, the All Blacks shuffled their pack.
Out went two assistant coaches, replaced in the backroom by schemers Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan.
The team found solutions to on-field problems, returning to a kicking game, managing the absence of Ardie Savea in Australia, and pushing Jordie Barrett into midfield at Eden Park to stunning returns.
“What have we learned? Under pressure we’ve stayed tight,” Foster said.
“Under pressure we’ve sought different solutions that have made all of us uncomfortable at times.
“And I’ll just say, there’s quite a bit left in this tank. There’s still a lot of finishing touches we’re not quite getting right. And what a good place to be.”
Foster has granted his players a fortnight off ahead of a squad naming on October 9 for a northern hemisphere tour beginning in Japan, before trips to Cardiff, Edinburgh and London.
There are also All Blacks XV games in October and November which will give fringe players a shot against Canada and the Scott Robertson-coached Barbarians.
Foster said the spring tour would be “vital” this year given a shortened southern season next year to accomodate the Rugby World Cup in France.
“Next year is pretty thin … five Tests before a World Cup starts next year so we’ve got to maximise our opportunities we get now,” he said.
The All Blacks will head north with their lowest-ever world ranking of fourth – behind Ireland, France and South Africa – but Foster said he was “not deeply concerned about that”.
“What we’re concerned about is that we show the improvement that we need and our trajectory is upwards because where want to be in 12 months time is not to be two, three, four or five. It’s to be one.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments