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All Blacks running back Aaron Smith dodges Wallabies captain Michael Hooper’s grip to set up the ball in a crucial attempt during the tie at 16 at Wellington last Sunday.
OPINION: Ian Foster can’t afford to be friends with anyone when he locks up his team to defend the magnificent All Blacks record in Auckland.
Not after that tie at 16 with the Wallabies in Wellington, he can’t.
If the new All Blacks coach, Foster, is going to insist on responsibility after what happened at Sky Stadium on Sunday, he can fire one or more players or take a more conciliatory stance and offer them a second chance.
1 NEWS
The All Blacks coach on the statistical dominance of the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe test.
This is a big deal: The All Blacks haven’t succumbed at Eden Park since Frenchman Jean-Luc Sadourny scored his famous match winner in the final moments in 1994, and they haven’t suffered a loss to the Wallabies on the ground since. . 1986.
READ MORE:
* All Blacks vs Australia: ‘Feels like a loss’ as hosts take Bledisloe Cup draw hard
* All Blacks coach defends Rieko Ioane after star’s error on the test line proved costly
* All Blacks vs Australia: Bledisloe fighters achieve a thrilling draw in wet Wellington
No member of the current All Blacks team was born when the Australians claimed the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland 34 years ago, but if they don’t understand the significance of what awaits them on Sunday, they should be cleaning yams for a job rather than getting their dough. by NZ Rugby.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Wallabies Taniela Tupou props attract the attention of All Blacks forwards Patrick Tuipulotu and Codie Taylor during testing in Wellington.
A win will bring the All Blacks closer to holding the Bledisloe Cup before the next two games in Sydney and Brisbane.
Foster will reveal his team on Friday. It promises to be a busy week after that disappointing effort at the cake tin.
Sky Sport / SCREENSHOT
All Blacks center Rieko Ioane is on the touchline before Jordie Barrett’s first attempt.
HOW FOSTER’S ALL BLACKS CAN DELIVER IN AUCKLAND
one Has Rieko Ioane ruined it? Ioane, who failed to break the top team as a wing at the World Cup last year, convinced Foster that his size and speed would weaponize midfield in Bledisloe I.
Given that he has spent most of his career on the wing, Ioane should know how to finish. However, inexplicably, he still failed a certain attempt while trying to throw the ball over the line with one hand.
Ioane also moved closer to the defense as the Wallabies launched an attacking lineout, with James O’Connor spitting an impressive long pass that gave Marika Koroibete the space to score her try.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Australian Angus Gardner will referee the Wallabies and All Blacks in the second round of the Bledisloe Cup.
It could have been more embarrassing if Australian assistant referee Angus Gardner hadn’t lost Ioane to the touchline in the lead-up to Jordie Barrett’s try.
The All Blacks were lucky. It remains to be seen if Ioane will be as lucky ahead of Bledisloe II.
Brett Phibbs / AP
Wallaby Hunter Paisami is tackled by New Zealand’s Jack Goodhue, right, during the Bledisloe Cup event.
two Sacrificing Ioane and promoting Anton Lienert-Brown to the start will renew the midfield partnership preferred by Foster’s predecessor Sir Steve Hansen at the World Cup in Japan.
The question is whether Jack Goodhue will be moved to the center, where he played during the global tournament, or if he remains in the second fifth eighth.
Michael Bradley / Getty Images
Will Beauden Barrett be fit to play the Wallabies at the Auckland test?
3 Beauden Barrett, as long as he’s in shape, is likely to start as a fullback.
Forced to retire on the eve of Wellington’s test due to a strain on the Achilles tendon, Barrett will replace Damian McKenzie to allow the dual playmaker strategy to be used with Richie Mo’unga, as used in 2019.
For obvious reasons, Barrett’s experience could be vital. Especially if a late fall goal is required.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Jordie Barrett scored the All Blacks’ first try in Wellington.
4 Which means that Jordie Barrett, despite being New Zealand’s best No. 15 during Super Rugby Aotearoa, will remain installed on the right wing.
And he’s probably still being asked to be the kicker.
Mark Tantrum / Getty Images
Nepo Laulala could add more experience to the All Blacks bench for the next test in Wellington.
5 Tighthead mainstay Nepo Laulala, a late retirement in Wellington for personal reasons, should be in the reserve bank ahead of Tyrel Lomax.
Whatever the bank build for Auckland, Foster will expect more impact from his “bomb squad” after they fought to turn the momentum in favor of the All Blacks at Cake Tin. Very often one of the strengths of the All Blacks teams under Hansen, these impact players could be key at Eden Park.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
All the Blacks and Wallabies players show the tension of their stagnation in Wellington.
6 Lastly, Foster and his assistants may be aware that any strong message shouldn’t have a detrimental effect on performance.
It’s one thing to mail a reality check. It is quite another to read the riot law and break a player’s confidence.
During Hansen’s tenure, heated messages earlier in the week were often followed by support and encouragement.
There is an art to making a Generation Y player nervous without creating self-doubt and fear of failure. It all depends on Foster.
