This article was originally published on Stuff and is reproduced with permission
OPINION: You couldn’t even accuse New Zealand Rugby of smearing lipstick on a pig.
With an overwhelming sense of significant change in the air – some of it fuelled by NZR’s radio silence this week – the All Blacks did, well, nothing. Not yet, anyway.
Coach Ian Foster is staying, as expected, Sam Cane remains captain, Joe Schmidt’s role remains as flagged six months ago, and the squad for the Rugby Championship is all but a copy and paste job from the forgettable Irish series.
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Indeed, for all the talk NZR would announce significant changes on Friday, highlighted by the possibility of a captaincy change, punters and pundits were left asking what the heck just happened after several well sourced journalists swung and missed.
To be fair, a steadfast Foster, having opened his media stand up in Auckland by reiterating he was the All Blacks coach (you got the feeling that inside, he was giving everyone the middle finger), has promised “a couple of changes.”
That’s the reality after days of meetings between NZR heavies, All Blacks management and senior players.
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“Out of respect for a couple of processes I need to not say anything more,” Foster said.
That seems to point to employment matters that may need finalising before NZR can serve up what some might see as scapegoats.
Given Foster said chief assistant coach John Plumtree helped Foster and Schmidt select the 36 man Rugby Championship squad, it’s unlikely the former Hurricanes coach is going anywhere.
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That leaves attack coach Brad Mooar, unwanted at the Crusaders after the 2018 season, defence coach Scott McLeod and scrum coach Greg Feek in the firing line.
“Quickly, and I’ll let you know very soon,” Foster said when asked when changes would be confirmed.
Given NZR doesn’t do quickly, just when that is remains unclear, but time is ticking before the squad re-groups in Wellington on Monday.
What’s clear is Schmidt’s role isn’t changing, although Foster did leave the door open by adding “at this stage.”
Despite many tipping the former Irish head coach would take a hands on approach, he won’t travel with the team or have an on field role – rather, he’ll continue as an independent selector, and will provide Foster analysis of opposition teams.
Speaking of Foster, say what you will about his underwhelming record, he was assertive, confident and composed in front of cameras on Friday.
Sure, he let himself down with a needless remark to a journalist wanting one more question, but he did not appear to be a bloke who had essentially been thrown to the wolves after NZR chief executive Mark Robinson’s statement on Sunday.
“I’m strong, I’m resilient, I think I’ve proven that. I believe I’ve got a great feel and relationship with my players. I’m strategic, and I’m also accountable, and I take that on board,” Foster said, admitting he did consider standing down.
So, onto South Africa, where the All Blacks play the world champion Springboks in back-to-back Tests on August 7 and 14.
That’s hardly what the doctor would order for an out of sync team that’s lost four of five Tests, one bereft of ideas on attack, and one that quite simply looked lost against Ireland.
Which begs the question: What happens if the All Blacks get rolled against South Africa and/or cough up the Bledisloe Cup in September – the second most important trophy to the men’s national side after the World Cup?
Having also reviewed the All Blacks’ northern tour last year and played on, this rinse and repeat business can’t go on should the rot continue. No, that would call for big changes.
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