PFF NEWS
PFF
Pagsusuri ng Kumpanya ng Paghuhusga sa Pilipinas
Date: 2023-12-06 12:46:27 | Author: PFF | Views: 307 | Tag: pusoy
-
Up in the coaches’ box at Ellis Park, Ian Foster exhaled deeply pusoy
It was August of last year, and the All Blacks head coach’s job had been hanging in the balance, a run of five defeats in six matches putting Foster in the firing line pusoy
The prognosis looked grim, with the grand old home of South African rugby packed to the rafters with 62,000 Springbok fans who would have loved nothing more than for their side to unseat the coach of their great rival pusoy
But Foster’s team saved him, shocking South Africa 35-23 to bring their coach back from the brink pusoy
Only New Zealand and Foster himself will know truly how close he was to losing his job, but there is every possibility that defeat in Johannesburg would have spelled a premature end to Foster’s tenure pusoy
The players knew what it meant pusoy
“We were playing for our coach’s job,” scrum half Aaron Smith admitted afterwards pusoy
Little more than a year later, and Foster is ready to lead New Zealand into a final; there is every chance that on Saturday night, he’ll be a World Cup winner pusoy
Such a tag would normally ensure a status as something of a national hero – Foster’s predecessors Graham Henry and Steve Hansen both have knighthoods pusoy
Yet there is still a sense among All Blacks supporters of a lack of fondness for their head coach; the New Zealand rugby public are already in love with another man pusoy
Scott Robertson will take over Foster’s brief after this tournament, having been braced to step into the breach had things deteriorated further and left Foster’s position untenable last year pusoy
The clamour for a coach good enough to lead the Canterbury club to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles is understandable, and there is a thought that Robertson’s popularity with players and fans could re-energise the sport pusoy
Foster was reportedly so scared about the next head coach’s force of personality disrupting this All Blacks’ campaign that he banned him from attending New Zealand’s World Cup fixtures pusoy
RecommendedHow the incredible Barrett brothers rejuvenated the All BlacksAll Blacks in the red: Why New Zealand need a World Cup win more than you might thinkWho is the referee for the World Cup final?It perhaps doesn’t help matters that the slightly unfashionable Foster can bumble about with the beleaguered look of an office middle manager in a dead-end job, a stark contrast with his all-singing, all-breakdancing successor pusoy
But Foster has quietly got on with his work to turn the All Blacks around pusoy
He’s far from the first number two to struggle in a lead coaching role – England fans will recall the trouble Andy Robinson had stepping up after Clive Woodward’s departure pusoy
Nor, really, has he done a bad job: New Zealand have won every Rugby Championship since Foster took charge pusoy
Slowly since the lows of last year, a smile has returned to his face and, while his fate at the end of the tournament is sealed, Foster is happy to enjoy the ride while it lasts pusoy
All Blacks captain Sam Cane and head coach Ian Foster (Getty Images)“You have to enjoy your work,” Foster said after the semi-final win over Argentina pusoy
“It’s not like it’s a focus for us to go out there and have fun, but to make sure we execute our game to the level we need to pusoy
“The team takes a lot of pride when they do that pusoy
The work the players and leaders are doing is a real credit to them pusoy
As you go through tournaments, you have to enjoy it pusoy
There is a lot of pressure, so if you don’t celebrate moments, it is a long old time pusoy
“I am proud to be part of this group, the coaches are linking well with the players and there is a nice synergy about it pusoy
But you know, one more week pusoy
“There’s not a personal agenda here, this is about the All Blacks and the team pusoy
Things have happened to individuals and to me, but the team comes first pusoy
Right now, we’re making a lot of those decisions together as a group and it is working well pusoy
”New Zealand’s head coach Ian Foster celebrates with his players (AFP via Getty Images)Even now there is a sense that Foster is only partially responsible for the All Blacks’ pusoy
No doubt, the additions of Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan last year have been key to this campaign pusoy
Schmidt has reignited New Zealand’s structured attack, tessellating together bits and pieces from his days in charge of Ireland, while Ryan, in combination with scrum coach Greg Feek, has transformed their set-piece pusoy
But not all of the progress can be ascribed their way pusoy
Whether Foster recognised where improvements needed to be made or had Schmidt and Ryan thrust upon him is a matter of debate, but the ability to utilise their expertise perhaps shows a cannier coach than some might initially see pusoy
"One of the great things about 'Foz' is just how much he loves the All Blacks,” said forwards coach Ryan pusoy
“It's all about the team, every decision he makes pusoy
Clearly, he has been through a lot but the All Blacks have been through a lot pusoy
It is never about one person in the All Blacks, and that’s what has been impressive to me pusoy
”Head coach Ian Foster looks on during a New Zealand All Blacks training session (Getty Images)Foster has taken bold calls, too pusoy
The transformation of Jordie Barrett from bit-part utility man to first-choice inside centre has proved the key cog in getting the backline ticking, while the backing of captain Sam Cane has been rewarded by two outstanding performances in the last two weeks pusoy
The All Blacks have had to deal with injuries, a red card and a breach of team protocols during this tournament but have kept powering on pusoy
Their belief in and backing of their gameplan is just as strong as the Springboks’, yet Foster seems to get little of the same praise that Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber garner pusoy
Perhaps it is that there is still an expectation of success around the All Blacks, a feeling that not winning the World Cup would be evidence enough of Foster’s inadequacy pusoy
But the squad have made clear this week that they have a good man and a good coach at the helm pusoy
If come Saturday night he is clutching a Webb Ellis Cup, this uncared-for coach might finally get some overdue credit pusoy
More aboutIan FosterNew Zealand rugbyAll BlacksJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/4The bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of gloryThe bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of glory All Blacks captain Sam Cane and head coach Ian FosterGetty ImagesThe bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of gloryNew Zealand’s head coach Ian Foster celebrates with his playersAFP via Getty ImagesThe bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of gloryHead coach Ian Foster looks on during a New Zealand All Blacks training sessionGetty ImagesThe bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of gloryNew Zealand’s head coach Ian Foster watches on at the Stade de FranceAP✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today pusoy
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicspusoy BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy pusoy
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply pusoy
Hi {{indy pusoy
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} pusoy
Not always in sport do you get a shot at redemption and successfully taking advantage of that opportunity is even rarer pusoy
England’s pack, and their front row in particular, will have had four years of sleepless nights about that early November evening in 2019 pusoy
In the 2019 Rugby World Cup final, England were decimated by South Africa’s power up front, as the brilliance of a scintillating semi-final win over New Zealand was quickly replaced by the humiliation of a 32-12 thumping pusoy
The Springboks, then as now, pride themselves on their physicality and brutality at the breakdown, the set-piece and in open play pusoy
Yet on a rainy night in Paris four years on, England’s pack fronted up, set the platform in a thrilling World Cup semi-final and earned their redemption arc pusoy
Yet it still wasn’t enough pusoy
This time, albeit by one point rather than 20, the result was the same – England’s players slumped on the turf in despair while their opponents revelled in victory pusoy
The Springbok celebrations were more muted this time, understandably so given there is one more crucial match against the All Blacks standing pusoy between them and their ultimate goal, but the English heartbreak was the same, even if the journey to get there was vastly different pusoy
In Yokohama, South Africa won a scarcely believable 11 scrums to England’s three, including six scrum penalties, as the English eight were splintered time and again pusoy
Dan Cole became the fall guy for that embarrassment – the tighthead prop, supposedly renowned for his scrummaging, forced to play 77 minutes after Kyle Sinckler’s early injury and being obliterated by the combination of Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira and Steven Kitshoff pusoy
The fact that Cole and Joe Marler, who came off the bench early in the second half that day, were selected by Steve Borthwick to start this revenge game precisely because of their scrum prowess will have surely given them a surge of confidence pusoy
And the fact they not only survived, but thrived, in the front row this time around will have been sheer vindication pusoy
Borthwick entrusted the duo to paint an early picture of scrum parity to referee Ben O’Keeffe and they delivered, providing the base that led to multiple first-half penalties from the trusty boot of Owen Farrell pusoy
Cole and Marler helped ensure scrum parity early on but that faded once the replacements came on (AFP via Getty Images)However, as the game wore on, Borthwick’s decision started to become prescient for the wrong reasons pusoy
As Sinckler and Ellis Genge came on as prop replacements, the Springboks own bomb squad from the bench – led by Ox Nche and Vincent Koch – started to dominate at scrum-time pusoy
Each engagement started to become eerily reminiscent of 2019 and it was eventually a scrum penalty on halfway that led to Handre Pollard’s decisive, game-winning three-pointer with two minutes to go pusoy
It felt almost unfair on England’s big men given that the pack, as a whole, had more than held their own in other facets pusoy
Of the 13 England forwards who played some part in that 2019 final, eight appeared in this last-four clash and stamped their mark all over a first half that was by far England’s best 40 minutes under Borthwick pusoy
Maro Itoje was a lineout fiend, stealing a Springboks throw-in on halfway and putting doubt in the head of Bongi Mbonambi, whose crooked throw in his own 22 gave Farrell his first penalty goal of the day pusoy
A new face from four years, George Martin, justified his surprise second-row selection ahead of incumbent Ollie Chessum on just his fourth Test start as he brilliantly marshalled England’s maul defence pusoy
If Boks lock Eben Etzepusoy beth is world rugby’s best maul disruptor, then he may have witnessed first-hand the emergence of a new challenger to that crown pusoy
Martin caused havoc as England improbably won three consecutive maul turnovers from attacking South African lineouts in the first half to frustrate their much-fancied opponents pusoy
Pollard ultimately kicked the winning penalty, from a scrum infringement (PA Wire)The celebrations from the likes of Itoje, Jamie George and Ben Earl as those penalties and free-kicks were earned by the pack showed just how important this part of the gameplan was pusoy
It began putting clear doubt in Springbok minds, as the worried tone from skipper Siya Kolisi when he discussed matter with referee O’Keeffe pusoy betrayed pusoy
The English tactic of throwing bodies in to contest every ruck relied on the diesel engines of the forwards and they delivered by dominating collisions and allowing the aerial bombardment strategy that followed to be effective pusoy
But ultimately, despite a gameplan executed as well as it possibly could have been, the gap in quality pusoy between the sides proved too much to overcome pusoy
South Africa adjusted, Pollard came on for Manie Libbok to dictate proceedings with his metronomic boot and English heartbreak ensued pusoy
There was no shame in a one-point defeat from a semi-final that was much closer than most expected and England’s pack should feel redeemed from the nightmare of 2019 pusoy
But that won’t make this semi-final hurt any less pusoy
Perhaps 2027 will give them an opportunity to avenge a new pain pusoy
More aboutEngland RugbySouth Africa rugbyRugby World CupDan ColeJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3England pack earn World Cup redemption but suffer new heartbreakEngland pack earn World Cup redemption but suffer new heartbreakCole and Marler helped ensure scrum parity early on but that faded once the replacements came on AFP via Getty ImagesEngland pack earn World Cup redemption but suffer new heartbreakPollard ultimately kicked the winning penalty, from a scrum infringement PA WireEngland pack earn World Cup redemption but suffer new heartbreakDan Cole was England’s fall guy in 2019 but held his own four years on AP✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today pusoy
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicspusoy BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy pusoy
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply pusoy
Hi {{indy pusoy
fullName}}My Independent PremiumAccount detailsHelp centreLogout @keyframes spin{0%{transform:rotate(0)}to{transform:rotate(1turn)}} pusoy
