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Why new ABs head coach process is 'stunningly disrespectful'
The New Zealand Rugby Union are expected to appoint the next All Blacks coach ahead of this year’s World Cup in France, which doesn’t bode well for Ian Foster.
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Veteran coach Foster came under immense pressure during the All Blacks’ uncharacteristically poor start to their international season last year.
After losing their final two matches on their end-of-season tour the year before, New Zealand began their 2022 campaign wit a series loss at home against Ireland.
But that was only the start of a disastrous stretch of Test matches.
The men in black lost their next Test against fierce rivals South Africa, before bouncing back with a valiant victory at Ellis Park.
While fans continued to call for a radical change in the coaching ranks ahead of the World Cup, the NZRU publicly threw their support behind Foster.
And they went on to lose to Argentina at home for the first time a couple of weeks later.
The All Blacks seemed to turn a corner in the second-half of the season, but New Zealand rugby fans appear set in their ways.
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Supporters appear hellbent on change, and they may be about to get their wish.
According to multiple media reports, the NZRU are expected to appoint the All Blacks head coach for 2024 and beyond within the first half of this year.
NZ Herald scribe Gregor Paul doesn’t believe that Ian Foster can remain in his position after this year’s World Cup, which he said is “stunningly disrespectful.”
“If they’re doing the process now, as they seem committed to be, no. I don’t think anyone can,” Paul said on Weekend Sport with Jason Pine.
“His record today is not outstanding, and I think even he would admit that… That’s unlikely to convince anyone, at this stage, that they want to push on with that.
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“There’s obviously been a little feeling of public discontent, media discontent, with the way the team’s performed.
“If you’re going to do the process now over the next few weeks, I can’t see it.
“I think it’s a stunningly disrespectful way to treat the incumbent coaching group. Two, it prevents them from having the ability to apply for their own job.
“That group will never be taken seriously. What they really need is to go to the World Cup and be judged on that.
“It’s weird because the board backed them in August last year… now we’re effectively going to look at that group and cut them off in the next six weeks.”
The All Blacks are a team stepped in tradition, but they’re set to go against their old ways in an attempt to usher in a new era of success.
As Paul understands it, the NZRU will “identify candidates rather than asking for applications” for the All Blacks head coaching position.
This process will be done quite quickly, with a decision set to be made and announced “by April.”
But as Paul discussed, this new approach gives other countries the opportunity to “belittle the All Blacks” throughout the sport’s most prestigious event.
“What does that give other coaching groups? Rival coaching groups (have) a great opportunity to belittle the All Blacks in the media,” he added.
“It’s probably an unsettling environment to end up with that, I don’t think it’s in the best interests of the All Blacks.
“If they decide that they’re going to appoint Razor… why wouldn’t you just say to him, ‘take the team to the World Cup, start now.’
“We’ve already determined that he’s the better guy, why wait?
“All of these things don’t really stack up as a good, logical, high-performance plan that’s giving the All Blacks the best chance of winning the World Cup.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
8 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.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 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?
8 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?
41 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 commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments