One defeat is many. After a poor performance, the All Blacks lost 26-10 in their Rugby Championship opener in South Africa on Saturday. Ireland, the second northern nation to win a series in New Zealand since France in 1994, suffered their third successive loss after their two defeats in early July. Fifth defeat in their last six meetings (France, three times Ireland, South Africa).

A black series making headlines in the land of the Long White Cloud. A complete one to claim Ian Foster, the head of the coach, in case the reference newspaper does not hesitate. “It is time to end his dutiesThe New Zealand Herald claims. The Herald is not happy to call him, but Foster – a decent man, but worn down by a position more cruel than he – must go! New Zealand Rugby put Foster in a job that was decidedly ill-suited. Now they must find a way to deal with his departure. Does he get paid to go (as he should) or does he do so voluntarily…An amount of two million New Zealand dollars is indicated as compensation (1.23 million euros).

«The results are overwhelming. But, more than that, it really matters. They play bad rugby. Players are easily discouraged and often borrow, and become confused in performing their roles “, continues daily. Adding that not even an improbable win against the same Springboks next Saturday will change anything. “It will hide the cracks. (…) The team is on a clear downward trajectory, with only one year left to reverse the trend and avoid the doom of the World Cup in France. The credibility of a 117-year-old legacy hangs in the balance. In the modern era of the All Blacks, there have never been darker days.»

According to Stuff, the dice are already cast. The New Zealand federation would have acted after this second Test in South Africa, with Ian Foster no longer coaching. But Scott Robertson, who led the Crusaders to five consecutive Super Rugby titles, is not guaranteed to be his replacement. It will need to negotiate with the Christchurch-based franchisee to buy back its contract.

To make matters worse, Ian Foster’s public challenges to the Springboks’ overflowing commitment to the reception of air balloons strongly displeased the New Zealand media. “ This ridiculous claim deals a fatal blow to his reputation“, the New Zealand Herald insists. The satisfaction shown after the defeat was also mocked. “In many ways, it was our best performance of the year. Sufficient evidence shows that we are heading in the right direction. (…) We have made progress and it is up to us to prove it next week.» «The art of turning defeat into victoryRidiculous stuff.

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