MY ACCOUNT
New Zealand coach Ian Foster says there is no point in his side “sulking” over their defeat to South Africa, as the All Blacks coach faces increased calls to stand down.
The tourists slipped to an opening defeat into the Rugby Championship against the Springboks on Saturday, with the world champions claiming at 26-10 win in Mbombela.
It means New Zealand have now gone three games without victory, following consecutive losses to Ireland on home turf, producing their longest barren streak since 1998.
With five losses in their last six Tests now, expectations are that Foster’s position may become untenable with another loss in Johannesburg this weekend, with the New Zealand Herald calling for him to go in a front page editorial on Monday.
But for now, the coach say his team must focus on the next step rather than their mistakes.
Foster said: “We know there’s a lot of pressure on, and we’re feeling that. But our job is to look at our performance and how we can grow it.
“I understand the frustration, but that doesn’t change what we have to do here.
“There’s no point sulking about it for too long. We’ve just got to get into Ellis Park and keep growing our game and still believe.”
Foster also stated his intent to address South Africa’s mid-air challenges following a scrappy first encounter, with Beauden and Jordie Barrett both injury doubts following tackles by Kurt-Lee Arendse.
“It*s becoming a free-for-all for jumpers just to be able to jump and stick a hand out and say they’re competing. It needs to be addressed,” he said.
