Kiwis are not panicking about the Boks, says embattled coach Foster
Trainer’s 67% winning record from 24 Tests is the worst for a New Zealand coach in decades
26 July 2022 - 16:29
byIAN RANSOM
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All Blacks head coach Ian Foster. File photo: Picture: GETTY IMAGES/ALBERT PEREZ
Melbourne — Ian Foster has shrugged off queries over his future as New Zealand coach before a tour of SA that could spell the end of his tenure.
Despite huge pressure, Foster survived a New Zealand Rugby review of the 2-1 series defeat to Ireland, with his assistant coaches instead taking the fall for the shock result.
However, defeat in the forthcoming Rugby Championship Tests against world champions SA would renew calls in New Zealand for change at the top.
Asked whether his position might become untenable with another setback in SA, Foster said he is only focused on the job at hand.
“It’s not something I think about. I think about just doing the best I can in my role,” Foster told reporters in Wellington on Tuesday.
“My job is to get excited about taking the team to SA. We’re not panicking. I’m not sure about the rest of the people.”
With the three-time world champion All Blacks losing four of their last five Tests, Foster’s 67% winning record from 24 Tests is the worst for a New Zealand coach in decades.
Foster said head office has given him no demands regarding the SA tour, which starts in Mbombela on August 6. “I don’t need them to tell me what we want to do,” he added.
“We want to play well. With all the emotions around when you lose a series, it’s easy for people to get scratchy and poke holes, and I get all that and accept all that. But it doesn’t change our job, which is to get the group to play well.”
Jason Ryan has joined Foster’s staff as forwards coach, replacing John Plumtree, while attack coach Brad Mooar has not been replaced.
Foster will work with the backs in the short term with some input from selector and analyst Joe Schmidt, though the former Ireland coach will not travel with the team.
Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga said he “100%” backs Foster and that the players need to shoulder the blame for the Ireland defeat.
“We need to make a statement about who we are as All Blacks and the standard that comes with that,” he added.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Kiwis are not panicking about the Boks, says embattled coach Foster
Trainer’s 67% winning record from 24 Tests is the worst for a New Zealand coach in decades
Melbourne — Ian Foster has shrugged off queries over his future as New Zealand coach before a tour of SA that could spell the end of his tenure.
Despite huge pressure, Foster survived a New Zealand Rugby review of the 2-1 series defeat to Ireland, with his assistant coaches instead taking the fall for the shock result.
However, defeat in the forthcoming Rugby Championship Tests against world champions SA would renew calls in New Zealand for change at the top.
Asked whether his position might become untenable with another setback in SA, Foster said he is only focused on the job at hand.
“It’s not something I think about. I think about just doing the best I can in my role,” Foster told reporters in Wellington on Tuesday.
“My job is to get excited about taking the team to SA. We’re not panicking. I’m not sure about the rest of the people.”
With the three-time world champion All Blacks losing four of their last five Tests, Foster’s 67% winning record from 24 Tests is the worst for a New Zealand coach in decades.
Foster said head office has given him no demands regarding the SA tour, which starts in Mbombela on August 6. “I don’t need them to tell me what we want to do,” he added.
“We want to play well. With all the emotions around when you lose a series, it’s easy for people to get scratchy and poke holes, and I get all that and accept all that. But it doesn’t change our job, which is to get the group to play well.”
Jason Ryan has joined Foster’s staff as forwards coach, replacing John Plumtree, while attack coach Brad Mooar has not been replaced.
Foster will work with the backs in the short term with some input from selector and analyst Joe Schmidt, though the former Ireland coach will not travel with the team.
Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga said he “100%” backs Foster and that the players need to shoulder the blame for the Ireland defeat.
“We need to make a statement about who we are as All Blacks and the standard that comes with that,” he added.
Reuters
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