July 18, 2022
Rugby loss chance for rebuild
Veteran sports commentator Ken Laban says rugby fans have short memories.
There have been calls for All Blacks’ coach Ian Foster to be dumped after Ireland took the series with a 32-22 win on Saturday, making it the first international team to beat New Zealand on home soil since 1994.
Mr Laban says the backlash reminds of him New Zealand’s 2007 Rugby World Cup loss.
The coaching staff, which included Sir Graham Henry, Steve Hansen and Foster, were given four years to redeem themselves – and the rest is history.
“I wouldn’t be listening to all the talk on social media. He will do his own review of the players and I’m sure that will be good news for some players and not so good for others and I am sure he has heard the noise about what many are saying about the inadequacies of some of these on his coaching staff and their positions will need to be reviewed. I think he should stay,” Mr Laban says.