Ian Foster’s coaching job is not under any apparent threat. Still, New Zealand Rugby’s boss, Ian Foster, has clarified that All Black’s performances were not acceptable during the series loss to Ireland. NZ Rugby chief Mark Robinson has fired the All Blacks warning shots following their historic series loss to Ireland but has stopped short of publicly endorsing or condemning the current coaching group. New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson says that as scrutiny intensifies over head coach Ian Foster in the run-up to next year’s World Cup, it is “unacceptable” that the All Blacks lost their test series to Ireland.
Ian Foster’s future as All Blacks coach looks uncertain after New Zealand Rugby launched a snap review Sunday into Ireland’s series loss, with CEO Mark Robinson saying it was unacceptable. New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson has described the All Black’s first defeat in the home series in 27 years as inappropriate and said work would start immediately with head coach Ian Foster on understanding how the All Blacks reached that situation. New Zealand rugby fans are in shock following the All Black’s historic loss of the Test series to Ireland, and questions are being raised over head coach Ian Foster’s future and All Black’s fitness before the World Cup.
It is the first time in over two decades that the All Blacks have lost back-to-back tests on New Zealand soil, and with the World Cup coming up in one year, some former players and commentators are saying that a drastic change is needed for the All Blacks to deliver a World Cup win. Unusually, New Zealand Rugby would make a statement midway through an All Blacks season, suggesting significant unease about the team losing consecutive Tests on home soil for the first time since 1994. The series loss to Ireland was the All Black’s first defeat on home soil since 1994, when they lost consecutive Tests to France, and Robinson issued a strong-worded statement about it on Sunday. Chief Executive Mark Robinson issued a brief statement the day after Ireland’s series loss at the third and decisive Test in Wellington.
Instead of cracking, following an opening loss by 23 points at Eden Park in Auckland, Ireland responded with a beautiful mix of aggressiveness and brilliant rugby, dominating the next two, making the All Blacks look second-rate at times. Before last week, the All Blacks had never lost a home Test against Ireland, let alone in the series. Despite late returns, the All Blacks were defeated 32-22 in the decisive match on Saturday, sealing the Irish victory, which stands at 2-1. Ireland won the third test 32-22 on Saturday to secure a historic 2-1 series victory. Ireland held on from a brilliant first half, beating the All Blacks both on the night and the series.
