New Zealand Rugby has become the “laughing stock” of world rugby for how it has handled the All Blacks head coach role, according to a former staple of Super Rugby.
Joe Wheeler, who played a handful of matches for the Crusaders and was a regular fixture of the Highlanders squad in the mid-2010s, said it’s hard to understand the governing body’s approach to the head coach selection process.
The saga has dragged out for more than six months. Incumbent Ian Foster has continually come under pressure for lacklustre results and historic defeats.
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On several occasions, he looked likely to be axed in 2022. However, he has retained his place through to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
On Wednesday, New Zealand Rugby announced it would be making a decision on who will coach the All Blacks in 2024. Shortly thereafter, Foster confirmed he’d not be reapplying for the job.
The process has drawn the ire of Wheeler, who indicated Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is the firm favourite to take the job despite Jamie Joseph’s experience as Japan’s head coach.
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“Mate, bit of a laughing stock at the moment, New Zealand Rugby aren’t we? The way we handled this,” said Wheeler on Stan Sport’s Super Round coverage.
“Definitely, Razor (Scott Robertson) is in the mix. There is obviously thoughts that Jamie Joseph is going to be in the mix as well. Ian Foster has obviously pulled himself out, which was interesting.
“I don’t know why they (New Zealand Rugby) felt they needed to rush that decision as well to announce the coach.
“Because when England, Australia, the Welsh all named their coaches for successions, it was like, ‘well, we’re probably all right to sit tight’.
“I do think Razor is the guy. I don’t know what else he can do. He’s won six (Super Rugby) titles, four NPC (National Provincial Championship) titles, he’s been super, super loyal to New Zealand Rugby.
“He’s stayed here, turned down numerous international coaching jobs to give himself a crack at this. I’d like to see him get a crack.”
Former Australian international Drew Mitchell echoed Wheeler’s sentiment, backing Robertson for the job.
Mitchell questioned the dragged-out nature of the decision, believing Robertson is best option.
“The one thing they’ve said which he doesn’t have is international experience,” said Mitchell.
“So what are they asking from him? To go and take charge of someone else and beat the All Blacks to show that he’s actually worthy of coaching the All Blacks?
“There’s no better candidate in my opinion than Scott Robertson. What else does he have to do?
“You’re right, Joey, he’s done everything – from under-20s to Crusaders rugby. He’s been loyal to New Zealand Rugby. It’s got to be Scott Robertson.”
Wheeler said the only silver lining to making the coaching call early is to assemble a strong line-up from the outset, something Foster wasn’t afforded.
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Recent changes to the support staff have netted better results for the All Blacks, albeit after record losses to Ireland and Argentina at home.
“By making this decision early, I think it gives them a chance to flesh out, to get the best candidates around the world, because that’s one thing they got wrong when they announced Ian Foster, and I feel for Ian Foster in that respect,” Wheeler explained.
“He didn’t get the coaching team he probably wanted when he started, now he’s getting that and we’re starting to see some performances from this All Blacks side that shows he’s a very, very good coach.
“I think public perception had probably turned the other way, and unfortunately for Ian, he’s no longer going to be there.
“But I hope that he can go through and win a World Cup. That means he’ll have won one as an assistant, one as a head, and who knows? He’ll probably go write a cheque wherever he wants.”
The 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off with a blockbuster match between France and New Zealand on September 9.
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