[ad_1]
This was probably the last thing Ian Foster needed – old Gaffer Sir Graham Henry joining the scrutiny of this All Blacks freshman coach who finds himself in the second test game of the year.
Of course, when his team underperforms the All Blacks last week in Wellington, with a 16-16 draw against a new Wallabies team in their own first game under new Kiwi coach Dave Rennie , then a certain amount of attention is unavoidable. It goes with the territory.
Foster accepted as much this week in Auckland when he spoke about his anticipation for Bledisloe II at Eden Park on Sunday (4pm start), where the All Blacks have not lost a game since 1994 and have not been brought down by the Wallabies since. 1986. A repeat of last week’s moderate effort would be simply unthinkable.
“I love these weeks,” Foster said defiantly. “These are the weeks where there is a real advantage on the field. We know we have to respond. We want to respond from our own standards perspective and we are excited about doing so. We said last week was about putting a scoreboard. We did it and so did they and we have to respond. “
READ MORE:
* Sir Graham Henry says Dave Rennie should have been the new All Blacks coach
* All Blacks vs Australia: Rieko Ioane in doubt, Sam Cane promises a physical response
* All Blacks vs Australia: Wallabies freak out when stomach bug hits No. 8 Harry Wilson
* All Blacks vs Australia: Beauden Barrett on fatherhood, his Achilles problem, and missed goals
Naturally, the All Blacks are no strangers to these positions. Last year they were humiliated 47-26 by the Wallabies in Perth in the run-up to the World Cup, only to counterattack in Auckland seven days later with a 36-0 demolition job of their own. Foster expects a similar response today at Eden Park, but knows there are no guarantees.
But what about this pressure that has been decidedly building up around Foster? It is real to begin with. His appointment has not been without criticism and after that opening effort in Wellington, where the All Blacks forwards were outgunned and strained back, it has certainly escalated. There are many in this country who do not believe that NZ Rugby was right with this decision, and they are not behind in saying so.
Henry’s comments at the Wairarapa Bush rugby awards show on Friday night have done nothing to lessen the scrutiny on Foster, who served eight years as Steve Hansen’s assistant, then overshadowed the super successful Scott Robertson for the top spot of the All Blacks. of the failure of the 2019 World Cup.
STUFF
Ian Foster explains All Blacks picks for Bledisloe II
You might think Henry would be Team Foster, given the continuity link between his regime, Hansen’s, and Foster’s now. But his words on Friday night didn’t seem to indicate it, when he told the crowd in attendance:
“Dave Rennie is a fabulous coach. New Zealand Rugby ruined it. They should have been hooking up with Dave and [Japan coach] Jamie Joseph and others from around the world to keep them involved. [But they] He didn’t get in touch with Dave Rennie for three years, and Dave Rennie is fabulous, so he will do a great job with Australia. “
And the 2011 World Cup-winning coach didn’t exactly endorse Foster when he was directed in that direction. He said it was “too early” to pass any judgment on the suitability of the new man, but, pressed to choose between Rennie and Foster, he nominated the Wallabies trainer as the best operator.
“I think, frankly, we fill ourselves with things because he [Rennie] He is a quality person and a quality coach and has seen it immediately with the Wallabies, ”said Sir Ted. “They will play for him, and that’s not disrespectful to Fozzie, it’s just circumstantial.”
As mentioned, Foster will not be tried in two tests. It will continue with the remainder of 2020 and 2021, and most likely until the next World Cup, unless things really go pear-shaped. Better informed judgments will be made in due course.
But there is no doubt that this is an early juncture to which you must respond. Or at least your team needs to.
The All Blacks were horrible last week. The forwards had their moments but, in the style of the World Cup semi-final, they never got ahead against a compromised group. And the defenders failed to establish rhythm or flow with a lack of quality possession. What’s more, tactical adjustments were conspicuously absent. When the match was there to be stolen, there was simply no plan to prepare for a disallowed goal.
Hannah Peters / Getty Images
New All Blacks coach Ian Foster must come up with a rebound from Bledisloe to silence his critics.
Foster has heard the comments about the loss of the team’s “aura” and so forth, and the intermediaries do not argue with them because they accept that they did not meet their own standards last week.
“Is it time for a statement? Yes it is, ”he says. “We want to get our levels to where we want to be, and there is a group here that works very hard to achieve that. But we have to learn fast. “
Your gear is interesting, to say the least. He has brought Beauden Barrett back to fullback, when many would have preferred him at No. 10, and left Jordie Barrett at right wing, when he is clearly the best No. 15 in the New Zealand game. Jack Goodhue and Richie Mo’unga have held out thanks to below-average efforts.
Up front, he’s down Sam Whitelock, in concussion, and puts his faith in rookie Tupou Vaa’i in the second row. Dane Coles will set the tone for aggressive hooker and Shannon Frizell has a second chance in a loose trio that lacked collective impact last week.
The sky won’t sink if these All Blacks don’t produce a Bledisloe bounce. But Foster’s world will get decidedly more awkward when they head to Australia for the remainder of the Rugby Championship. Sam Cane and his pack must lead the response, and Beauden Barrett must turn their backs on something decidedly more incendiary.
Then, and only then, will New Zealanders be happy. Perhaps even Sir Graham among them.
All the black people: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Shannon Frizell, Tupou Vaa’i, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Dane Coles, Joe Moody. Bookings: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.
Wallabies: Tom Banks, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Matt To’omua, Marika Koroibete, James O’Connor, Nic White; Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (captain), Ned Hanigan, Matt Philip, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. Bookings: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Liam Wright, Jake Gordon, Jordan Petaia, Reece Hodge.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus).
