New Zealand rugby fans agitating for change have been left disappointed with the All Blacks opting to retain under-fire coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cane for the Rugby Championship.
The historic series loss to Ireland on Saturday placed immense pressure on the unpopular Foster with supporters and media spruiking the claims of Scott Robertson, Joe Schmidt, Warren Gatland and Wayne Smith among others.
There had also been reports that Cane would be axed as skipper in favour of Sam Whitelock or Ardie Savea.
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But NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson and the board have stuck with the status quo as Foster unveiled his squad for the Rugby Championship.
“We have taken on board the lessons from the (Ireland) series and are excited about looking forward to the next phase of our Test season,” Foster said.
“The Rugby Championship plus the Bledisloe Cup remain our top priorities. This is a real chance to show what we are about as a team…
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“I am strong. I am resilient. I believe I have a great feel and relationship with my players. I’m strategic and I’m also accountable. I am really excited to give you the chance to show you what this team is made of…
“There is no doubt that I am under pressure, but I’m always under pressure and always felt that pressure… as an All Blacks coach you live in that world all the time.
“Does it hurt? Yes it does. But the key thing is that I do everything I can to make sure we have the right people in the right seats.”
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The squad features the return of Highlanders forwards Ethan de Groot and Shannon Frizell, while Braydon Ennor, Tyrel Lomax and the uncapped Josh Dickson will tour South Africa as cover for Angus Ta’avao, Brodie Retallick and Jack Goodhue.
Pita Gus Sowakula and Karl Tu’inikuafe have been dropped.
“The past fortnight has been a challenging time for us and of course our fans,” Robinson said.
“There have been some thorough conversations this week, as there always are around our performance environments, and these will continue.
“It’s exciting to be heading back to South Africa for the first time in several years.
“We have two big games ahead of us there and our focus now is to support the team to improve performance and be successful.”
Foster also addressed the cancelled press conference on Sunday and the subsequent radio silence.
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“I understand the frustration. I as a head coach would never ever not communicate with my fan base when it’s expected. I know my responsibility to talk to the fan base.”
On the captaincy call, Foster said: “I have faith in Sam Cane.”
“We all know we have a high accountability when you wear an All Blacks jersey and we need to do that better.”
All Blacks squad for Rugby Championship
Hookers: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Samisoni Taukei’aho
Props: George Bower, Ethan de Groot, Aidan Ross, Nepo Laulala, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tuungafasi
Locks: Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaa’i
Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu
Halfbacks: Finlay Christie, Folau Fakatava, Aaron Smith
Five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Stephen Perofeta
Midfielders: Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Quinn Tupaea
Outside backs: Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Will Jordan, Sevu Reece
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