The All Blacks must carry out their examination of their conscience after being completely overwhelmed by France on Saturday 20 November, a defeat which ends their worst year since 2009 and increases the pressure on their coach Ian Foster, estimates the New Zealand press on Sunday .
After their 40-25 setback against the Blues, the New Zealanders end 2021 with 12 wins and three defeats, their worst record in twelve years (14-4), when the fern team was under the orders of Graham Henry.
“There will be a lot of questions to ask”, estimated Jamie Wall on Radio New Zealand after the defeat of the team, already beaten last Saturday in Ireland (29-20). The health constraints linked to Covid-19 have forced Ian Foster’s team to perform their last nine tests in 12 weeks away from home, but New Zealand media consider that the problems go beyond the fatigue linked to these long trips.
“The rest of the world no longer fears the All Blacks”
“Rugby is experiencing a new world order and, for now, the All Blacks are not up to the task”, writes Marc Hinton on the news site Stuff, judging the team “Officially in free fall” less than two years from the 2023 World Cup in France.
Gregor Paul, rugby columnist at New Zealand Herald, estimate that “The All Blacks have a number of undeniable problems, many of which are too deep to be attributed to fatigue at the end of a difficult year”. “The problem for the All Blacks is that the rest of the world no longer fears them, because there is no reason to be afraid”, he adds, lambasting a game plan “Confused”.
“The loopholes that France exposed have been exploited too often this season, which leaves great concerns about the ability of the All Blacks to resolve issues week to week.”, writes Liam Napier in the New Zealand Herald.
This is the Blacks’ fifth loss in 21 games since Foster took over from Steve Hansen after the 2019 World Cup. Initially appointed for two years, Foster was extended in 2020 until the 2023 World Cup in France. – a decision “Somewhat premature” for Marc Hinton. The Federation “Should have waited until the end of the tour to the north to make the best possible assessment on the advisability of extending his contract”, adds Chris Rattue, from New Zealand Herald.
“There are a few major fault lines in this team, cracks that have been widened by bad coaching decisions”, concludes columnist Mark Reason for Stuff.