‘There is confusion’: Ian Foster on the problem areas in Super Rugby for the All Blacks
Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster has now commented on the health of Super Rugby Pacific and its capacity to get players ready for the global stage in New Zealand.
Notwithstanding their difficult pre-event performances against South Africa, Argentina, France, and Ireland, the All Blacks managed to advance to yet another Rugby World Cup final.
Super Rugby is being given increased importance in order to generate players of international caliber, as the international competition has become more competitive than ever.
Foster stated that while Super Rugby is not doomed, it will need “massive” attention to regain its position.
Foster responded, “I think it can be,” on The Platform NZ when asked if Super Rugby helps players get ready for the international game.
“The Super Rugby competition requires a great deal of focus.
For the All Blacks to succeed, having robust rugby clubs is essential. I believe we have.
The coach clarified that player development, which has been noted as a persistent problem in New Zealand’s governance review, is the crucial area that has to reform.
The question is which of the provincial unions and Super Rugby teams, which have made significant investments in player development with NZR financing, is most suited to provide that.
Foster stated that there is a state of disarray taking hold in the U20 level and below, an area that “hasn’t been nailed” for some time.
New Zealand hasn’t had much success at the World U20 Championships in recent years; their most recent championship came in 2017.
“We need to fine-tune our development systems from underneath that in order to keep developing those clubs,” he stated.
“There is a lack of clarity around our player development process there.
We’re still working on it at the U20 age level, where we haven’t performed well in a while.
That is our plan for development. Not everything is about the U20 squad per se; rather, it’s about the underlying program that develops players to that level.
“It’s imperative that we figure out a way out there.”
Foster also cited the diversity of playing styles as a problem, citing the departure or relocation of teams from Argentina, South Africa, and Japan.
He said that following the 2020 and 2021 seasons, which saw a great deal of internal rugby in New Zealand, it took the All Blacks a few years to get used to playing new styles.
The All Blacks lost to South Africa at least once a year starting in 2021, after being stunned by Argentina in 2020 and 2022. The difference between the two teams when they played Japan in late 2022 was just seven points.
The Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika are two new sides that Super Rugby Pacific has added, although there is a noticeable lack of a broad range of styles.
“We must ensure that Super Rugby remains a sustainable competition and that our players are participating on teams that reflect a variety of playing styles,” he stated.
“We definitely got more focused throughout COVID, and we ultimately played ourselves.
“I believe it took some time for them to bounce back from that at the international level in 2022 and 2023 and begin to get used to playing different rugby styles again.”
“It’s better the more we do that.”