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'Change is coming': Why the All Blacks 'can't afford' a 'total cleanout'
By Finn Morton
The New Zealand Rugby rumour mill has been in full swing for quite some time now, with many fans calling for radical change in the coaching ranks.
Head Coach Ian Foster came immense pressure during last year’s disastrous international campaign, which saw the All Blacks lose to Ireland and Argentina at home for the first time ever.
New Zealand’s uncharacteristically poor form spanned all the way back to their end-of-season tour in 2021, as they lost their final two test matches against the Irish and France.
Including a loss to reigning World Cup champions South Africa at Mbombela Stadium, the men in black had lost five of their last six matches.
Considering the legacy of the All Blacks and the expectations that come with it, the team were heavily scrutinised ahead of their second test against the Springboks.
While a 35-23 point win over South Africa at Ellis Park alleviated some of this pressure, and saw the New Zealand Rugby Union stand by Foster, some supporters still wanted change.
As the year went on, and the All Blacks found their mojo once again with a seven test unbeaten run to end the year; yet calls for change continued to persist.
For these fans, they’re set to get their wish later this year.
As reported by New Zealand website Stuff, a New Zealand Rugby panel is set to appoint the new All Blacks coach for 2024 and beyond within the first half of the year.
It’s understood that Crusaders coach Scott Robertson and Japan coach Jamie Joseph are among the frontrunners for the position.
But this might not be a good thing ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Rugby World Cup winning fullback Israel Dagg has warned that the All Blacks “can’t afford” to have a “total cleanout.”
“Change is coming,” Dagg said on SENZ.
“Many of you have been demanding change in that All Blacks team for a while now, for a very, very long time, wanting it and well, change is about to come.
“Post the World Cup, the All Blacks will announce a new All Blacks regime and they will have a total cleanout.
“All signs are leading to a total cleanout and you can’t look (much) further than the Chiefs in 2011 when they had a total cleanout.
“They came last or neat last that year but then went on to have some very successful years with Dave Rennie.
“The All Blacks, I feel, can’t afford that. The sponsorship, the legacy of the man the All Blacks hold, but hey, change is change.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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