Is the feeling in NZ that Foster has to go after this and last November?
My prediction for the series was: I don't see why Ireland shouldn't be looking to 3-0 NZ. So really, this hasn't come as a huge surprise to me.
But the answer is: Yes. He inherited a team that was starting to lose, and he has continued to lose... You can't tell me that we are still relying on a "little bit of Beaudy magic" to win games... That ship has sailed so long ago. Honestly, look at what the Crusaders did to the Blues... The Blues were completely outcoached, Barrett was shutdown as badly as he is on international duty. Foster has not found a solution to a problem that dates back to what, 2017? When the ABs started to struggle versus the teams with rush defense. We have not found a solution yet... Compare the tries that were scored tonight. Ireland: Structured running lines and interplay ball from 1 to 15, New Zealand: Some counterattacking which involved some special individual talent. Which can you rely on in big games?
Remember like 6 years ago when everyone was a little bit scared of what Beauden Barrett could produce? That is gone. He barely runs the ball into contact, he throws flat hospital passes to people who have no momentum going forward, and because this system that Foster has on the pitch just has people standing flat with no depth or line speed, the All Blacks are the most predictable team in the top5 currently. Even Australia, who I think NZ is going to have a hard time against holding onto the Bledisloe... Run better lines, have better structure, have more clarity with their team identity, and it really does seem like Foster doesn't have a clue. Australia are developing their talent by using them efficiently where they are best, and we're out there putting Scott Barrett, a top international level Lock on any team... Foster is starting him at 6... The ABs are just so lost.
Mr. Foster... Who is your starting centre pairing for the World Cup? Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu have been gone almost 7 years, surely you have some idea, right? Is it:
Goodhue/Ioane?
Goodhue/Ennor?
Goodhue/ALB?
ALB/Ioane?
ALB/Ennor?
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck/Ioane?
Havili/Ioane?
Tupaea/Ioane?
J. Barrett/Ioane? * My personal preferred choice.
I literally have zero idea which pair is our best pair, I assume it would be my preferred choice, I'll say why later.
I really think that Sam Cane as the captain has run its course now. You can't tell me that guy is inspiring anyone. They've had McCaw... Then Kieran Read, then...... Sam Cane. Come on. My opinion? Ardie Savea. I have seen that guy produce some outrageous feats in a yellow/black jersey, as well as a black jersey. That man has literally ZERO quit in him. And I would give him his #7 jersey back too. I think Sam Cane had 1 turnover in 3 games, it is time to move on, there was a better turnover specialist at the Chiefs and he didn't even get a phone call(Lachlan Boshier). We could literally have Akira/Savea/Sotutu or Sowakula, these guys are STUPIDLY talented. You have those 4 players in one international team? That is ridiculous.
The good news is, we found some good looking props that definitely held their own at international level. Oh, and the new blood halfback has a SICK rocket of a pass. But that is as far as our good news goes, unfortunately.
Going forward I think people need to start realising is that as far as our #10 options go. It is either one of the following - Barrett has been found out, and isn't as effective as he used to be, or, the system he is being implemented in is failing him. Depending on how you personally view Barrett as a player these days. I think it is a bit of both, tbh. I think Mo'unga has been the better #10 for the last 3 years at least, however, the system currently for Mo'unga is definitely not for him, he works within a much better structure and set-up at the Crusaders, and it is much more organised than the All Blacks. Are they both fixed by a new coach? Yeah, potentially, but I really think Beauden is coming to a point of which he'd be more effective as a super-sub vs tired legs. Would he stay for that role within NZRU? Doubt it. Honestly, I think that Foster made a mistake with making Jordie Barrett start playing Fullback in Super Rugby. I think it was stupid, and I think it would have been a perfect counter for the style of rugby that is being played today. Jordie Barrett used to play 12 at high school, and because NZRU felt like there was a crowd in the centres they suggested he changed his position...
Jordie Barrett: 'I think 12 is the most comfortable position for me' - April 2022
So you'd have Mo'unga, Jordie Barrett, and either Beauden/Will Jordan/Damian McKenzie... Why can't we go back to the old tradition of the second-five having the same skills as the first-five...? Are teams going to hesitate rushing up on a line-up with 3 of these players in it? I'd say so... Is there a huge potential in Jordie slamming 50/22 kicks out of second-five? Yeah I think there really is... I think having Jordie at second-five completely unlocks a player like Rieko Ioane, because then you get this tandem of danger where these two can play off each other. Because Jordie WILL make the pass, whether its behind the back to Ioane into space, or a 20m floater to cut out two defenders, the kid has vision. At least Ma'a was a dangerous runner, and developed the potential of him kicking the ball through from time-to-time. The All Blacks don't have that potential in their set-up right now. Havili/Tupaea/RTS/ALB they are only either going to run, or pass... That is it. We don't even see the centres bursting through the line on some obscure angle and flashing through the defense, because those plays are not there anymore, that potential is currently not there. And that lies with the coaching staff, not with the talent. I think Sevu Reece is easily one of our most talented wingers, but with a flawed system, he won't see the ball. Remember when a lot of people thought Ioane was a nightmare on the wing, only for us to see this "underperform" period primarily because he never saw the ball... Because that totally happened. When Ioane finally got the ball, it was either from open play, or a **** stand still hospital ball from Beauden straight into two defenders. Underutilized. But that's what the Hansen/Foster reign has brought to New Zealand rugby, as well as not playing in-form/in position rugby.
As far as who I'd like to see replace Foster? It would be between Schmidt and Robertson. I really have no gripes with either tbh, and even gun to head I would hesitate with an answer... I think the greatest natural progression for Robertson would to be the Assistant Coach to someone like Schmidt, even if it were just to be for 3 years... But that is only because of what Schmidt did with Ireland rugby. Pretty sure Robertson has gone on record and stated he wouldn't take an assistant role, I mean, the guy has won Super Rugby like 6 times in a row... He can clearly coach(See last Finals game vs Blues), he is clearly a good motivator, very obviously has a good eye for talent(see all the new Crusaders who are All Blacks in the last 5 years). I think I kinda expect Schmidt to be instantly successful with his coaching, but I expect that from Robertson but with a little bit more flare. Idk.
All I know is - There has to be a big change with the All Blacks, or they are going out in the quarter-finals next year. And for once, there is probably no rugby fan in New Zealand that thinks otherwise.
