Under-fire Foster Speaks Up Amid All Black Turmoil

The picture of New Zealand rugby at present is a bleak one as the All Blacks fell to a spirited Irish side in a 2-1 series defeat – Ireland's first series victory on New Zealand soil and the first time the hosts had lost a home series since 1994. 

Black-clad fans looked on in despair as the usual spark and icy determination seemed to be absent from the team as the Irish romped to victory. 

An expected consequence of the failing has seen calls for Ian Foster’s head intensify greatly and, after naming his squad for the imminent Rugby Championship, opened up regarding the situation. 

“We never are happy when we don’t achieve what we want to achieve,” he said. 

“We understand the fans aren’t happy with that, but you have a promise that we are looking forward to getting stuck into our work when we get together, to go and play in this Rugby Championship, and in South Africa, a game of rugby that New Zealanders can be proud of and this team. 

 “I’ve also heard that there does need to be some change, and for us to achieve that. Right now, I am working behind the scenes to achieve that. 

“You can ask me a hundred times what that is and I won’t be able to give you that answer just yet. 

“I’d like you to bear with me, but we’ve got things in place right now, and as soon as I can let you know a couple of changes, I will let you know as soon as possible. 

“Like I said, this All Black team is very proud. We’re very proud of playing for this country. 

“We know that we didn’t get what we needed again out of the Steinlager Series, and I know what our country should expect of this team is that we go away, we identify the key focuses, and we go ahead and fix it and we play at the level that we want to play to. 

“We’d love you to be proud of us, and we want to make sure we do everything can to do that.” 

Asked whether his zeal for the All Black job was waning, Foster was adamant that he had no intention of walking away. 

“As a head coach, there’s been a lot of questions the last couple of weeks. Let me tell you who I am. I’m strong. I’m resilient. I think I’ve proven that,” he said. 

“I believe I’ve got a great feel and relationship with my players, I’m strategic and I’m also accountable, and I take that on board. 

“I promise you I understand that, and I’m really excited about the chance to show you what this team is made of working alongside the players in this squad.” 

Foster also responded to queries pertaining to Sam Cane’s form and captaincy. 

“I believe in him. I believe in him as a person, as a leader,” Foster said. 

“I think the easiest thing to do when a series doesn’t go your way is to point the finger and blame and want people’s neck. 

“I’ve got a lot faith in Sam as a player and as a person, and in the leadership group around him. 

“That same group that we are talking about has been part of the same conversations we’ve had, and we all know that there’s a high degree of accountability when we put on an All Blacks jersey, and we need to be better.”