Ian Foster needs to beat the Boks to retain All Blacks job
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New Zealand head coach Ian Foster needs to defeat the Springboks at least once to save his job with two losses enough to see him lose his role during the Rugby Championship.
According to a report by Stuff.co.nz, two losses in South Africa will see Ian Foster lose his job as the All Blacks head coach and just one win may not be enough.
'If Foster fails in South Africa, a swift removal would give the incoming All Blacks coach two weeks to get his feet under the desk before the test against the Pumas on August 27.' Paul Cully explained in his piece.
RANKED: Current Tier 1 coaches' win ratios
Scott Robertson is the front runner to replace Foster if he does get the sack and if he were to takeover after the ,mini tour to South Africa, his first test in charge could be in Christchurch in front of an adoring home crowd.
Earlier this week, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson offered no guarantees over All Foster's long-term future, stating "he’s certainly the person to lead the team to South Africa".
"He's certainly the person to lead the team to South Africa, and we're making sure they've got everything possible in the way of resourcing and support to make sure that's successful." Robinson said
When asked for comment on Ian Foster's position, Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber said:
“If I comment on what is happening in their camp and how he [Foster] feels, then that will be speculation,” Nienaber said. “I don’t know what their deal is or how things operate between him and the CEO.
“As coaches and players, we know that when you represent your country there is always going to be pressure. Especially countries that have a rich rugby tradition like South Africa and New Zealand. There’s always going to be pressure.
“If you are a coach or a player you are two poor games from being dropped, and you are two poor games away from being fired. That is the reality and one lives with that.”
STATS AND FACTS
For the first time in 13 years, and just the fourth time in the history of New Zealand sports betting, the All Blacks are underdogs going into a Test match.
Only three Tests have previously been played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit – 2013 against Scotland, 2014 against Wales and 2016 against Argentina.
New Zealand have won nine of their last 12 men’s Tests against South Africa (D1, L2); the All Blacks have won each of their last four matches on South African soil, however their last two such victories have come by margins of just two points or fewer.
South Africa have won six of their last seven men’s Tests on home soil (L1), conceding 20+ points in a match just once during that period; three of their last five wins at home have come after leading at halftime on the day.
South Africa have won five of their last seven men’s Tests (L2) after losing three in a row previously; however, the Springboks have scored 4+ tries in a game just once during that period and led their opposition at halftime on just one occasion
Springbok record against New Zealand:
Played 101
Won 37
Lost 60
Drawn 4
Points for: 1625
Points against: 2098
Tries scored 156
Tries conceded 229
Highest score 46-40 in Johannesburg (2000)
Biggest win 17-0 in Durban, 1928
Win % 36%.
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