'It needs to happen quickly': Foster concedes All Blacks have to lift
Embattled All Blacks coach Ian Foster admits time is running out for his team to start winning consistently after they endured a first-ever home soil loss to Argentina to continue their dismal run of form.
The defeat to Michael Cheika's team in Christchurch on Saturday night was the sixth in eight Tests for the three-time world champions and has reignited scrutiny of Foster after a brief reprieve following their win over South Africa in Johannesburg two weeks ago.
"When you're trying to build something a little different it takes a while and it's pretty frustrating, isn't it?" Foster told reporters on Sunday.
"It's frustrating I'm sure for the viewers and the fans and it's frustrating for us.
"But we have got a lot of faith that some of the things we're building are paying dividends. But it needs to happen quickly and we know that."
New Zealand meet Argentina again in Hamilton on Saturday with New Zealand at risk of an unprecedented second home series defeat in a row following their 2-1 loss against Ireland earlier in the year.
The All Blacks lost their final two matches of 2021 against Ireland and France before suffering those two defeats against the Irish in New Zealand.
They then lost against South Africa in their RugbyChampionship opener earlier this month before beating the Springboks at Ellis Park a week later.
After the next Argentina clash they will be defending the Bledisloe Cup in two Tests against the Wallabies.
The run of losses has so far resulted in some key changes among Foster's coaching staff.
"We're all hurting too, none of us like losing," said Foster.
"I guess the flipside of it is that everyone's aware that we're putting some new players in some areas, we're trying to grow parts of our game that we think we've struggled with.
"We were quite rightly criticised last year for being beat up up front in certain games and we've made big shifts in that.
"But we've got to put all those learnings into one game and we showed that we can do it in South Africa and we've got to do it again in Hamilton."
Foster also offered his support to under-fire All Blacks captain Sam Cane who was substituted late in Saturday's game.
"Clearly he's under the spotlight, we're all under the spotlight when things don't go well. But behind the scenes, he's strong," he said.
"I thought a lot of his tackle and work around the breakdown was a big shift up from the last two games and we're pleased with that."
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And they came from behind to win two big games before the final. No one can say what would have happened. Had the boks gone behind the game plan changes and the result may changes. Ifs and ands are irrelevant. The boks won. Neutral critics enjoyed the games they played. Its not a popularity contest. Get over it and move on.
Go to commentsI'm happy for the people of SA to get a second WC. And I mean that. I was very disappointed with this man's “stand on the hand” incident with Josh Van Der Flyer (Ireland). Ireland's downfall in the last WC was they did not rotate their first 15 as the head coach probably should have. That said, I'm happy for SA and genuinely hope it lifts the mood in their country. Ireland did beat them in the first match of the tournament. And before the trolls start trolling ….. please don't bother. Etzbeth said recently that the Irish players said after the match “see you in the final”…..this was actually wishing the SA team the best of luck in the rest, the Irish team were not dismissing the AB’s. This is what Etzbeth was implying. But he was wrong. I no longer live in Ireland. But I hope to see them lift that cup before I pass. Anyway, congratulations SA. 👍
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