Former All Blacks hooker James Parsons has questioned coach Ian Foster’s approach to managing the development of the New Zealand squad.
Parsons’ criticism comes after Foster claimed the squad is still “rebuilding” after they lost to Argentina in New Zealand for the first time – another unwanted record picked up by the All Blacks in 2022.
Learn from the Black Ferns
The former Blues man used the Black Ferns as an example of how building and developing a squad should look like and contrasted their approach to that of Foster’s, where limited opportunities have been handed to players needing time at Test level.
“If you look at the amount of changes every week, every test there’s opportunity created for players to put their hand up, to make the World Cup squad and set the tone of that competitive edge within that group,” he told The Aotearoa Rugby Pod.
“It’s working, and they’re still having the ability to win Test matches.
“Whereas [with the All Blacks] we have seen quite a consistent form of selection for a while now in those key (areas),” he explained.
“If I was a player and I heard coach talk about rebuilding, you’d probably have to expect a few changes this week.
“If that is the case, give guys opportunities, Hoskins [Sotutu], Roger [Tuivasa-Sheck], Stevey [Perofeta].”
Time be realistic
Meanwhile, former All Blacks full-back Mils Muliaina called for fans and pundits to be realistic about where the team is and that they will not suddenly click back to where they once were.
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“Are we being realistic about where and how close we are, we’re not dominant like we used to be,” he said on The Breakdown.
“We’re not going to get back to those (dominant) stages in the next two to three test matches.
“We’ve got to be patient about where these guys are heading”
The pressure is firmly back on Foster so soon after being backed by New Zealand Rugby until next year’s World Cup. Another loss will spell more trouble for an All Blacks side that is not living up to their performances of old.
The All Blacks face Argentina again in New Zealand and will be hoping to bounce back and make a charge in the wide-open Rugby Championship that sees only a five-point difference between top and bottom of the table after three rounds.