New Zealand coach Ian Foster: Focusing only on Dupont would be a mistake

Back in New Zealand after his stay in Europe, All Blacks coach Ian Foster will have had a busy week. From Twickenham, where he attended France’s magnificent XV over England, via Murrayfield, and also Lyon which will be the future base camp for the New Zealanders, and the stands of the Stade de France for the final meeting of France’s XV against Wales, the All Blacks strongman has given us an informal interview.

Interview by David Dipman

Now it’s official, Scott Robertson (editor’s note: former Perpignan player and current coach of the Canterbury Crusaders) will be at the helm of the All Blacks after the World Cup. what do you think

Ian Foster: I’m not sure the timing is right for such an announcement. When other countries put the World Cup as the leitmotif, we’ve spent the past few months just talking about my succession. That’s why I said I’m leaving after the World Cup. My decision was made, and I had announced it so as not to give the possibility of speculating on the matter, so that we might concentrate on the game. But for other staff members it’s not the same, it’s hard to work well while telling yourself that in six months you won’t be there… Now we have to focus on the World Cup.

Speaking of the World Cup, how did you find your future opponents against England and Wales?

IF: If we take the first match we attended (Editor’s note: Ian Foster was in Europe with his assistants Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan among others) against England, it was a great encounter. After a weak start to the tournament, the French really needed a match of this caliber to regain confidence. During the first meetings we had the impression that the players lacked coherence in their game, and against the English they put things right.

If you had to compare this team to the team you faced two years ago at the Stade de France (France win 40/25), how is that French team different?

So: In 2021 we come off a streak of 10 games in 12 weeks, maybe we’re a little tired. On the other hand, the atmosphere was exceptional. The French were able to take advantage of the audience’s input during this meeting. The first half was excellent. They’re not #2 in the world rankings for nothing.

If we go back to this Twickenham meeting, you have some facts about the level of play the Blues have. With a hinge that looks like your eyes are closed.

IF: The more they play together, the more dangerous they are, that’s for sure. Antoine Dupont weighs in against the France team. He distributes the game nicely, and uses footwork when necessary. But beware, that’s not all. Focusing only on it would be a mistake.

Exactly, behind this three-quarter line, the XV package for France is also a scarecrow …

IF: Of course, the French third line was again omnipresent against the English. Exceptional, she was able to shine thanks to the front five that dominated her English counterpart. Thibaud Flament was beaming during the meeting. This group has really gained confidence. During the match the forwards did as much preparatory work to fix the English as possible and allow the three quarters to play as they progressed. The first line of France’s fifteenth is of a very high standard, just like the third line, it is all over the place. I’m really looking forward to seeing you next September.

The day after this French victory, she boarded the plane to see Ireland take on Scotland…

If: the chance to watch this Irish team in action again. Scotland played well but hats off to the Irish. They managed to get out of a difficult situation. They believe in their game, and never give up. Until the end of the meeting, they are there, present. They always have the resources to turn around a situation that seems to have started badly.

So the world No. 1 status is worth much more than that.

If: I don’t think anyone can say otherwise. Ireland was already No. 1 in the world in 2019 but has yet to win a World Cup. For our part we were number one in the world for a few years but we didn’t always win the world title. The important thing in this year’s World Cup is to be ready in time.

Back to the France team. I was also at the Stade de France to watch the match against Wales. This match, which was France’s last official XV meeting before facing you next September, did it give you any lessons?

If: maybe (laughs). The atmosphere on the field was exceptional. In terms of play the French were soon pressured by the Welsh who got off to an excellent start. They were in a very good position and put pressure on the French. It was a different challenge for the Blues who knew how to turn their backs before taking their chances. But in the last minutes of the match, the Welshman managed to re-press the French team. So yeah, I think there are lessons to be learned from this tournament.

And did you follow the coronation of Ireland?

if: Saw him on a cell phone on the way back to the hotel. The English reacted well to the blow dealt to the France team. For their part, despite the pressure, the Irish were able to fight back. I am sure that these countries will be ready for the World Cup. We still have six months until the teams are ready and they will be.

This World Cup, how do you see it?

If: It will be a very tough competition. On the other hand, the really unfortunate thing is to find the top four countries in the world rugby rankings (editor’s note: the International Rugby Union), Ireland, France, South Africa and the All Blacks in the same part of the table. The fact that the draw was made so early in the competition gives us this situation where the four best teams must meet in the quarter-finals.

After two complicated seasons, the All Blacks won’t start as favourites, so is that a blessing in disguise?

The most important thing is to prepare to start the competition (Editor’s note: September 8, 2023 against France). And we’ll be ready. We have two players. The draw against England (Editor’s note: 25-25) in our final match of the November tour left a bitter taste in our mouths, especially as we were leading 25-6 with less than ten minutes to go. But this match will help us prepare. The New Zealand national team has changed after the 2019 World Cup, and we will come to France to win. We have a pool of players that allows permanent matching between players. In recent seasons we’ve worked with a group of about forty players and that’s a strength because we can watch and give playing time. Places are still up for grabs, that’s for sure.

For the opening position, you have the choice between Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’Unga, isn’t it too complicated?

if: It could be, but why choose! Beauden can also play very well at the back which really gives us a lot of possibilities. We have complete confidence in these two players. Both are very competitive. With Jordie (editor’s note: Barrett, Beauden’s brother) enjoying playing center field, the solutions are manifold. If other players advance, we will take the best. In France, we will be under a lot of pressure, and it is up to us to figure out how to manage all this as best we can. Up front we also have good depth for players both on the second line and on the third line with Sam (Editor’s note: Caine) and Dalton (Editor’s note: Papalli’i). Scott Barrett can also play in the third row. On the front line we also have players like Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax or Samisoni Taukeiaho. In short, we still have six months to be ready.

Besides matches, I have also been involved in many meetings with World Rugby, as well as with referees.

If: We want to do what it takes to speed up the game, the game has to speed up because we have to make sure the spectators don’t desert the stadiums, today it takes a long time. It is really essential that each process lasts no more than thirty seconds. We must eliminate downtime as much as possible. It’s like the will of some to lower the processing line but we have to measure the effects these rule changes can have. Rugby is an increasingly physical sport, it has to be given more speed in order for the players to take the spaces. Rugby should be a sport that is fun to watch but also to play.