Just when Ian Foster’s time came, the ground beneath his feet shifted utterly. A confluence of events meant his ascension to the throne was not a straightforward process. The man anointed by Steve Hansen had to take out his sword and do battle for the right to take over.
ven then, he was only handed a two-year deal which was due to expire after this tour. As votes of confidence go, this was a weak endorsement from New Zealand Rugby.
Foster’s problem was two-fold. Like Andy Farrell, he was associated with the old regime. He was Hansen’s right-hand man through two World Cup cycles, often appearing beside the head coach at press conferences during the 2015 and 2019 tournaments and the 2017 Lions tour.
When it all came crashing down against England, the tide of public opinion turned.
While Foster, or ‘Fozzy’ as he’s known to the folks back home, was dutifully fulfilling his duties as part of the All Black machine, Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson had emerged as a rock star of the coaching world.
At the Crusaders, the former All Black No 8 won trophies and then did a turn with a break-dance on the pitch afterwards. He cut a dashing figure and his team conquered all before them, cleaning up in Super Rugby for half a decade ahead of the big decision.
Robertson’s success threatened the New Zealand model of continuity.
Graham Henry led the team from 2003 through to the 2011 World Cup breakthrough. Hansen was promoted from within and after delivering the 2015 World Cup he decided to continue for the Lions tour and the 2019 World Cup.
If they followed their model, then the transition would be simple. But when a country produces as many high-quality head coaches as New Zealand does it muddies the picture.
Joe Schmidt was available, even if he ruled himself out when he said he was “finished coaching” after the World Cup, while Japan’s Jamie Joseph and his assistant Tony Brown were under consideration until they decided to commit to the Brave Blossoms for another four years.
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Warren Gatland was another in the mix, but it was his former Waikato team-mate Foster who eventually got the gig.
After eight years as the man in waiting the job was his, but considering the scrutiny, the length of his contract and how close Robertson had come to upsetting the odds, he had no time to rest on his laurels.
Then, along came the pandemic.
By choosing their isolationist approach, New Zealand kept their domestic show on the road but international sport was off the agenda for much of 2020.
They played six games, four against Australia, and only won half of them. That’s a considerable drop off, even in the exceptional circumstances.
This year has been different. They kicked off with hammerings of Fiji and Tonga, before reclaiming the Rugby Championship on neutral soil.
By the time they got to Wales two weeks ago they broke the record for the number of points scored in a calendar year and they’ve averaged 52 points across 13 matches.
By August, New Zealand Rugby had seen enough to extend his deal through to the World Cup.
Foster coached the attack under Hansen and the All Blacks have retained that free-scoring edge under the former Waikato out-half.
It is their defence, however, that has evolved under the new man.
For years, the All Blacks struggled against the rush defence perfected by European teams and South Africa but now they’re sharpening that element under defence coach Scott McLeod.
“Defensively they seem to be a lot more aggressive,” Ronan O’Gara said.
“A lot more line speed and backs I think are hitting the first four (attackers) which would be very unlike them.
“It would have been always using the touchline as an extra defender but they seem to have gone away from that and they’re gone into, I suppose, taking away the opposition’s time and space which is probably and un-New Zealand-like trait.
“Their phase game is good . . . they can rip you apart in three seconds, that’s the danger with them because their
catch-pass is very, very good.”
Hoskins Sotutu’s try aside, the performance against Italy has alarm bells ringing in New Zealand.
Foster may have been given the benefit of the doubt but there are still those who doubt he was the right choice, and every slip opens the door for more comparisons to Robertson.
Within the camp, they have faith.
“The management and coaches, all the players really enjoy his leadership,” John Plumtree, who once worked as Schmidt’s assistant with Ireland, said this week.
“He’s just the right blend, for me. I’ve worked with some good head coaches, he’s the best.
“He challenges us in the right areas, he keeps us really motivated, he’s got a nice balance between switch on and switch off, he encourages us to follow that lead because some coaches like me are pretty intense, they just want to work and talk footie all the time.
“So, he’s been good for me personally. I’ve learnt heaps under him.
“I know that the leaders are loving the fact that under Fozzy they get a say, they’re heard and they’re a big part of running this All Blacks team.
“I think everyone understands that they’re valued in this squad and there’s no hierarchy, everyone enjoys it,” added Plumtree.
“We’ve created an environment and culture with this current group that I think everyone is enjoying.”
Any coach is only as good as his players, and Foster has the best in the world at his disposal.
Having an out-half battle between Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga just shows the array of options in the squad.
It helps, but the job brings pressure and scrutiny like no other.
Finally, he’s on solid ground – as long as he keeps winning.
Ian Foster’s big calls
Half-back rivalry
We love a battle for the No 10 shirt in Ireland and right now there’s one for the ages ongoing in New Zealand. Crusader Richie Mo’unga displaced Beauden Barrett at the World Cup, but the 100-capper has won the spot back and is in line to start in Dublin. Decent options.
Air Jordan
New Zealand always have a threat out wide and Crusaders winger Will Jordan offers them a clever footballing brain and raw acceleration that’s hard to match.
Captain Savea and a new-look back-row
Sam Cane is still getting back to his best after his latest serious injury, so Ardie Savea has taken over the captaincy and he’s worn it well. He’s switched to No 8 as part of a new-look back-row, with Ethan Blackadder – son of former All Black Todd – and Dalton Papali’I on the flanks against Wales and blindside Akira Ioane also seeing lots of action.
A defensive shift
New Zealand used to prefer to push teams towards the touchline, but under Foster and defensive coach Scott McLeod they’ve a more aggressive defensive shape, with linespeed king. Against Wales, they turned that aggression into points with their intercept tries.
A green-tinted set-piece
Foster has two of Joe Schmidt’s former assistants to manage the pack. Both John Plumtree and Greg Feek had a huge stamp on how Ireland played in their time and we can expect similar on Saturday.
New Zealand’s record since Foster took over
Year – 2020: P 6, W 3, L 2, D 1
Oct 31: Australia 5 New Zealand 43
Nov 7: Australia 24 New Zealand 22
Nov 14: New Zealand 15 Argentina 25
Nov 28: New Zealand 38 Argentina 0
Oct 11: New Zealand 16 Australia 16
Oct 18: New Zealand 27 Australia 7
Year 2 – 2021: P 13, W 12, L 1
July 17: New Zealand 60 Fiji 13
July 10: New Zealand 57 Fiji 23
July 3: New Zealand 102 Tonga 0
July 5: Australia 21 New Zealand 38
Aug 14: New Zealand 57 Australia 22
Sept 5: Australia 21 New Zealand 38
Sept 12: New Zealand 39 Argentina 0
Sept 18: Argentina 13 New Zealand 36
Sept 25: New Zealand 19 South Africa 17
Oct 2: South Africa 31 New Zealand 29
Oct 23: USA 14 New Zealand 104
Oct 30: Wales 16 New Zealand 54
Nov 6: Italy 9 New Zealand 47