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Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones says All Blacks fans could turn against their new coach if things don’t go well in Sunday’s first Bledisloe Cup game.
On The Australian, Jones said that most All Black fans didn’t want Ian Foster to be in charge.
Jones, who coached Australia in the mid-1980s and led them to a Bledisloe Cup win over the All Blacks in 1986, said a strong start for visitors in the capital in the first round of 2020 could put Foster and his charges under pressure.
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Former Wallabies coach Alan Jones says Ian Foster could find himself under pressure.
“We want their new coach, Ian Foster, to be anxious at halftime when he addresses his troops,” Jones wrote.
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* All Blacks vs Australia – Watch the highlights from the Bledisloe Cup pre-press conference
* Summary: All Blacks teams vs Australia for the first round of the 2020 Bledisloe Cup in Wellington
* All Blacks vs Wallabies: Ian Foster finalizes Bledisloe’s lineup as the guessing game increases
* Loss of Rugby Championship paves a tough road for All Blacks coach Ian Foster
“Foster can’t afford to lose his first game in charge. Remember, most AB fans don’t want Foster as a coach. “
Foster was named the All Blacks’ new coach last December, replacing Steve Hansen after New Zealand finished third at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. He had been a part of the assistant coach team for the past seven years.
He saw a challenge from Crusaders coach Scott Robertson to win the spot. Robertson has won four consecutive Super Rugby titles with the Christchurch-based franchise and has volunteered to assist the British and Irish Lions coaching team under head coach Warren Gatland on their proposed tour of South Africa on next year.
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Alan Jones coached the Barbarians against the Wallabies in Sydney in 2017.
Foster and the All Blacks suffered a late setback in their first test of a year as the Covid-19 pandemic rocked the international rugby program when Beauden Barrett suffered an Achilles tendon strain in training and was ruled out on Saturday, with Damian McKenzie fitting directly into the No. 15 jersey after losing the original 23.
On Friday, Foster said he and fellow selectors John Plumtree and Grant Fox had kept an open mind by naming their first test of the year.
“We really wanted to see how the players fit in and fit in and how comfortable they felt coming back into the environment, so there were a number of positions that we wanted to keep an open mind about,” Foster said.
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All Blacks coach Ian Foster will have his first test in charge in Wellington on Sunday.
“We are excited about the group. There is a lot of talent there and we have players jumping out of their skin and wanting a shot. It was great getting together and knowing that there is a test match at the end of the week. There has been a lot of hard work, but the unity of the group and the desire and excitement of playing an international match are at the height.
“It’s a Bledisloe series and both teams will be determined to put a score on. For us, it’s about getting our basics right and focusing on our play and momentum and then letting the guys use their skills on the structure.”
TAKE A LOOK
All the black people: Damian McKenzie, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Jack Goodhue, George Bridge, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Bookings: Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke.
Australia: Tom Banks, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Matt To’omua, Marika Koroibete, James O’Connor, Nic White; Harry Wilson, Michael Hooper (c), Pete Samu, Matt Philip, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Taniela Tupou, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper. Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Rob Valetini, Jake Gordon Noah Lolesio, Reece Hodge.
