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It isn't Ian Foster in the cross hairs this weekend after shock loss

By Ian Cameron
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster walks through the crowd towards the field after The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and Argentina Pumas at Orangetheory Stadium on August 27, 2022 in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

New Zealand Rugby and not head coach Ian Foster are in the crosshairs on social media this weekend after the All Blacks' latest shock loss.

Michael Cheika's Argentina successfully raided Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch to grab a 25-18 Rugby Championship victory, their first on New Zealand soil.

The horror loss comes just days after the union committed themselves to Foster until the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, giving the 57-year-old their 'full support'.

Yet unlike previous weekends where Foster and Sam Cane were the focus of the public's ire, this time it is the NZR who are taking flak for persisting with the under-pressure head coach.

Aussie journalist and broadcaster Christy Doran wrote: "Is it time to talk about Ian Foster again? Wow. Huge result brewing in ‘Razor’ country with Argentina leading the All Blacks in Christchurch 25-18 in 71st minute."

South African journalist Brendan Nel posted: "Wonder how NZ is feeling about Ian Foster now?"

Newstalk ZB journalist Reid Etherington observed: "As an Arsenal fan, I know exactly how All Blacks fans feel about Ian Foster. But I never want to relive that again. NZR really shot themselves in the foot here."

Telegraph journalist Jamie Pandaram wrote: "Argentina defeat All Blacks for the first time in NZ, 25-18, right after Ian Foster is guaranteed his job until the 2023 World Cup. I restate my position, 2022 is the Wallabies' best chance to win back the Bledisloe."

Radio New Zealand's Jamie Wall certainly didn't mince his words: 'SACK. THE. F***ING. BOARD.'

Andrew Maseko was in agreement: "After this All Blacks loss, New Zealand Ruby Board should be fired. NZR picked Ian Foster as coach against wiser counsel, had a review after losses last year, kept him, a review after they lost the series to Ireland, kept him, had a review after the Bok loss and kept him."

There were many others in a similar vein:

Japan Times journalist Dan Orlowitz asked: "Does Foster still have the full confidence of NZR after this?"

It's going to be another difficult week for everyone in the All Blacks camp and New Zealand Rugby but this time they don't appear to have the option of switching things up in the coaching ticket.