Legendary All Black slams Ian Foster's charges

Legendary All Black, Sir Wayne “Buck” Shelford pulled no punches in his assessment of his old team in their maiden loss to Ireland on home soil.  

Shelford captained the All Blacks in the late 1980s and is widely regarded as one of the greatest loose-forwards to wear the All Black jersey. 

The 64 year-old highlighted the All Blacks’ general skill-set during the defeat. 

“We didn’t lose by much but it was the way we lost,” Shelford told Stuff. “The turnover rate, the stupid penalties we gave away. Our discipline was terrible. 

“We haven’t upped our game, in terms of our backs’ attack. Our catching and passing, at times, is horrific. For guys of this calibre, I just think it is abysmal.” 

Shelford also noted that New Zealand need to be better at countering some of Ireland’s tactics. 

 “They (Ireland) are playing quite smart. When they go in for the tackle they always roll out our side of the ruck, trying to slow the ball down,” he said. 

“We need to tell the referee ‘they are rolling out on our side all the time.'” 

Shelford went on to share some thoughts on current All Black boss Ian Foster. 

“It is a hell of a job but he put his name forward for it,” he said. “One of the things I thought when Mr Foster got the job was ‘what are we going to see that we haven’t seen before?’ 

“And, to me, not a lot has changed.”