'Should of been Scott Robertson' - Fans and media react to Ian Foster's appointment as the new All Blacks head coach

'Should of been Scott Robertson' - Fans and media react to Ian Foster's appointment as the new All Blacks head coach

Ian Foster's appointment as the new All Blacks head coach hasn't been a popular pick in New Zealand with a number of fans reacting negatively to the announcement on Wednesday.

54-year-old Foster will lead the All Blacks into a new era, after eight years as Assistant Head Coach of the team. He has been tasked with leading the side for the next two years with some fans speculating that he is holding down the position until Warren Gatland is done with the British and Irish Lions in 2021.



Some felt Foster just wasn't the right man for the job and that the All Blacks won't succeed with some even saying that the All Blacks could lose the Bledisloe Cup.







While others feel as if Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson should have got the role.





NZR CEO Mark Robinson acknowledged that Scott Robertson was also interviewed for the role.


 
“As someone who knows ‘Razor’ well as a former teammate, he was a very impressive candidate and these decisions are never easy.  We know Razor is an outstanding coach and I have no doubt he’ll have a big future in our game at international level.”


Meanwhile, some in the rugby media world also voiced their opinions on the situation.

 

 

Jamie Pandaram of the Daily Telegraph tweeted. "Ian Foster named as the new All Blacks head coach for two years (2020-21). Many rival teams will be relieved the Kiwis didn't give the job to Scott Robertson,"

 

 

 
Dylan Cleaver at the New Zealand Herald described the appointment as 'the perfect feel-nothing appointment'.
 
 
Jim Kayes said in his Newsroom column that Foster's appointment is an evolution, not revolution; and it’s hardly surprising. Kayes went on to say 'This is New Zealand Rugby we are talking about, the same organisation that quietly appointed a member of its board to be it’s next chief executive.'
 
 
 
 

Foster didn't shy away from acknowledging the reaction when speaking to media in Auckland. He said that he knew he some work to do in gaining the public's confidence and support.

 

 

"I've got a job now to reinvent myself a bit with the public, with the media," Foster said. "I've been eight years as an assistant coach, my job was to be the best assistant coach that the All Blacks needed me to be.

 

 

"Now it's time for you to see me in a new light and that's up to me to show you that I'm innovative, I've got a sense of direction of where I want this team to go and I'm extremely passionate about adding a new touch to it."

 
 
 
Foster's first test in charge of the All Blacks will be against Wales at Eden Park in July. The All Blacks will then face Wales again in Wellington before Scotland in Dunedin.
 
 
 

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