All Blacks have what it takes to go all way
The Rugby Paper|April 16, 2023
THE decision by New Zealand to announce a new coach of the All Blacks before a fouryear cycle has ended is quite sensational. As a neutral, you feel a bit for current coach Ian Foster going into the 2023 World Cup, with Scott Robertson named already as his successor as soon as the tournament is over.
All Blacks have what it takes to go all way

However, when the win rate drops there is no nation where your lack of success will register more quickly than in New Zealand, and Foster’s 67 per cent is the worst in the professional era – and well behind the win ratios of Steve Hansen on 87, Graham Henry 85, John Mitchell 82, John Hart 76, and Wayne Smith 71.

Coming in the wake of the All Blacks double World Cup-winning golden era under Henry and Hansen makes the comparison even more difficult, but the reality is that Foster’s team isn’t as good as it was when Henry and Hansen were in charge.

One of the few blemishes on Hansen’s record was the 2019 World Cup semi-final when New Zealand came up against an England side that gave arguably the best Test match performance in its international history.

By comparison, Foster’s 2-1 home series defeat by Ireland last summer, followed by further losses in the Rugby Championship to South Africa, and a first loss at home to Argentina, were seen as an unacceptable decline in standards.

Forster stopped the slide with New Zealand undefeated in their next seven Tests, winning six, with one draw (against England at Twickenham last November), but that did not prevent Robertson’s appointment.

It left Foster’s bosses at NZR with one very difficult question hanging over them: What happens if he wins the World Cup?

Foster has called the decision “unnecessary”, and you can understand why he feels unhappy. The difference in your mental outlook is vast if you feel you have a chance of continuing in a position, as opposed to being told you are finished even if you lift the World Cup trophy!

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin April 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin April 16, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE RUGBY PAPER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024