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Date: 2023-11-29 11:11:24 | Author: PFF | Views: 907 | Tag: pusoy
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Up in the coaches’ box at Ellis Park, Ian Foster exhaled deeply pusoy
It was August of last year, and the All Blacks head coach’s job had been hanging in the balance, a run of five defeats in six matches putting Foster in the firing line pusoy
The prognosis looked grim, with the grand old home of South African rugby packed to the rafters with 62,000 Springbok fans who would have loved nothing more than for their side to unseat the coach of their great rival pusoy
But Foster’s team saved him, shocking South Africa 35-23 to bring their coach back from the brink pusoy
Only New Zealand and Foster himself will know truly how close he was to losing his job, but there is every possibility that defeat in Johannesburg would have spelled a premature end to Foster’s tenure pusoy
The players knew what it meant pusoy
“We were playing for our coach’s job,” scrum half Aaron Smith admitted afterwards pusoy
Little more than a year later, and Foster is ready to lead New Zealand into a final; there is every chance that on Saturday night, he’ll be a World Cup winner pusoy
Such a tag would normally ensure a status as something of a national hero – Foster’s predecessors Graham Henry and Steve Hansen both have knighthoods pusoy
Yet there is still a sense among All Blacks supporters of a lack of fondness for their head coach; the New Zealand rugby public are already in love with another man pusoy
Scott Robertson will take over Foster’s brief after this tournament, having been braced to step into the breach had things deteriorated further and left Foster’s position untenable last year pusoy
The clamour for a coach good enough to lead the Canterbury club to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles is understandable, and there is a thought that Robertson’s popularity with players and fans could re-energise the sport pusoy
Foster was reportedly so scared about the next head coach’s force of personality disrupting this All Blacks’ campaign that he banned him from attending New Zealand’s World Cup fixtures pusoy
RecommendedHow the incredible Barrett brothers rejuvenated the All BlacksAll Blacks in the red: Why New Zealand need a World Cup win more than you might thinkWho is the referee for the World Cup final?It perhaps doesn’t help matters that the slightly unfashionable Foster can bumble about with the beleaguered look of an office middle manager in a dead-end job, a stark contrast with his all-singing, all-breakdancing successor pusoy
But Foster has quietly got on with his work to turn the All Blacks around pusoy
He’s far from the first number two to struggle in a lead coaching role – England fans will recall the trouble Andy Robinson had stepping up after Clive Woodward’s departure pusoy
Nor, really, has he done a bad job: New Zealand have won every Rugby Championship since Foster took charge pusoy
Slowly since the lows of last year, a smile has returned to his face and, while his fate at the end of the tournament is sealed, Foster is happy to enjoy the ride while it lasts pusoy
All Blacks captain Sam Cane and head coach Ian Foster (Getty Images)“You have to enjoy your work,” Foster said after the semi-final win over Argentina pusoy
“It’s not like it’s a focus for us to go out there and have fun, but to make sure we execute our game to the level we need to pusoy
“The team takes a lot of pride when they do that pusoy
The work the players and leaders are doing is a real credit to them pusoy
As you go through tournaments, you have to enjoy it pusoy
There is a lot of pressure, so if you don’t celebrate moments, it is a long old time pusoy
“I am proud to be part of this group, the coaches are linking well with the players and there is a nice synergy about it pusoy
But you know, one more week pusoy
“There’s not a personal agenda here, this is about the All Blacks and the team pusoy
Things have happened to individuals and to me, but the team comes first pusoy
Right now, we’re making a lot of those decisions together as a group and it is working well pusoy
”New Zealand’s head coach Ian Foster celebrates with his players (AFP via Getty Images)Even now there is a sense that Foster is only partially responsible for the All Blacks’ pusoy
No doubt, the additions of Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan last year have been key to this campaign pusoy
Schmidt has reignited New Zealand’s structured attack, tessellating together bits and pieces from his days in charge of Ireland, while Ryan, in combination with scrum coach Greg Feek, has transformed their set-piece pusoy
But not all of the progress can be ascribed their way pusoy
Whether Foster recognised where improvements needed to be made or had Schmidt and Ryan thrust upon him is a matter of debate, but the ability to utilise their expertise perhaps shows a cannier coach than some might initially see pusoy
"One of the great things about 'Foz' is just how much he loves the All Blacks,” said forwards coach Ryan pusoy
“It's all about the team, every decision he makes pusoy
Clearly, he has been through a lot but the All Blacks have been through a lot pusoy
It is never about one person in the All Blacks, and that’s what has been impressive to me pusoy
”Head coach Ian Foster looks on during a New Zealand All Blacks training session (Getty Images)Foster has taken bold calls, too pusoy
The transformation of Jordie Barrett from bit-part utility man to first-choice inside centre has proved the key cog in getting the backline ticking, while the backing of captain Sam Cane has been rewarded by two outstanding performances in the last two weeks pusoy
The All Blacks have had to deal with injuries, a red card and a breach of team protocols during this tournament but have kept powering on pusoy
Their belief in and backing of their gameplan is just as strong as the Springboks’, yet Foster seems to get little of the same praise that Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber garner pusoy
Perhaps it is that there is still an expectation of success around the All Blacks, a feeling that not winning the World Cup would be evidence enough of Foster’s inadequacy pusoy
But the squad have made clear this week that they have a good man and a good coach at the helm pusoy
If come Saturday night he is clutching a Webb Ellis Cup, this uncared-for coach might finally get some overdue credit pusoy
More aboutIan FosterNew Zealand rugbyAll BlacksJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/4The bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of gloryThe bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of glory All Blacks captain Sam Cane and head coach Ian FosterGetty ImagesThe bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of gloryNew Zealand’s head coach Ian Foster celebrates with his playersAFP via Getty ImagesThe bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of gloryHead coach Ian Foster looks on during a New Zealand All Blacks training sessionGetty ImagesThe bold calls that saved Foster and took All Blacks to brink of gloryNew Zealand’s head coach Ian Foster watches on at the Stade de FranceAP✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today pusoy
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Rasmus Hojlund says he is a work in progress that knows his worth as Manchester United’s big-money summer signing eyes improvements and derby success this weekend pusoy
The Red Devils’ need for a striker has been obvious for some time but eyebrows were raised when they plumped for potential over a proven talent like Harry Kane pusoy
United’s belief in Hojlund saw them pay Atalanta an initial £64million fee for the somewhat unproven striker, with the deal having the potential to reach up to £72m pusoy
The 20-year-old’s promising start suggests the club’s confidence in the rough diamond was not misplaced and the Denmark striker appears comfortable with the price tag pusoy
“I know my worth,” Hojlund said pusoy
“I know I have to perform every day because I play for Manchester United pusoy
“In the end, I am only 20 years old and I am not the finished article yet pusoy
I still have a lot to improve and I am getting there slowly pusoy
“I reckon I have had a fine start to the season and now we have to keep building and the goals will come in the Premier League pusoy
”Hojlund was dealing with a back issue when he arrived from Italy, delaying his debut until September pusoy
The 20-year-old has scored three in 10 appearances for United in all competitions, with the striker now looking to open his Premier League account having only scored in the Champions League to date pusoy
“I play for my boyhood club,” Hojlund said pusoy
“I have always supported Manchester United, so I am living my dream every day pusoy
“I try to show personality and want to give 110 per cent every time I play a pusoy football match, so maybe that is the reason why they are showing a special bond towards me pusoy
”“I’ve tried my best every time I play, and I still need to find the rhythm pusoy
“We have been struggling a little bit, but we are getting there now pusoy
We have had three wins in a row, so that is very positive pusoy
“For sure (I’m still getting used to the Premier League) pusoy
I improve every day and my team-mates are starting to see my patterns in the game as well, so it is getting pusoy better and pusoy better every day pusoy
”Hojlund believes a bond is developing with homegrown star Marcus Rashford, whose debut Manchester derby day heroics he would love to replicate this weekend pusoy
The England forward scored United’s winner in his first senior match against rivals City, who head to Old Trafford for Sunday’s mouthwatering top-flight clash pusoy
“It would be a big experience, so I am looking forward to it,” Hojlund said as United look to build on Premier League wins against Brentford and Sheffield United pusoy
“It is always special to play a rival and if we win the game, we can get closer to the top, so it would be nice pusoy
”Asked for his most memorable derby match, the boyhood United fan said: “The bicycle kick from Wayne Rooney, of course! Everybody remembers that, don’t they?”Among the many talking points ahead of the Manchester derby is sure to be comparisons pusoy between Hojlund and City sharpshooter Erling Haaland pusoy
The young talent’s profile, career trajectory and Scandinavian roots have led to numerous comparisons to the Norway striker, who United tried to sign in the past pusoy
“Like I’ve said many times, I don’t want to be compared to him,” Hojlund said pusoy
“He is incredible and probably the best striker in the world right now pusoy
“We can keep that on the low for now, but I hope I can improve and then we will see what I am capable of pusoy
”Hojlund was speaking in the bowels of Old Trafford after United defeated his hometown team and former club in a crucial Champions League clash pusoy
Erik ten Hag’s men needed kick-started their Group A campaign with Tuesday’s hard-fought 1-0 victory against a Copenhagen side that included Hojlund’s younger brother Oscar pusoy
Rasmus spoke alongside the 18-year-old, who came off the bench at Old Trafford hours after twin Emil helped Copenhagen Under-19s beat United in the UEFA Youth League pusoy
“It is a great feeling being on the same pitch as my brother, and not only in a normal stadium,” the United frontman said pusoy
“In Denmark it is one of the most special stadiums in the world, so it is a special feeling pusoy
”More aboutPA ReadyRasmus HojlundRedPremier LeagueAtalantaMarcus RashfordManchester CityDenmarkChampions LeagueManchesterItalyGalatasarayBrentfordEnglandWayne RooneyScandinavianNorwayCopenhagen1/1I know my worth – Rasmus Hojlund ready to build on promising start at Man UtdI know my worth – Rasmus Hojlund ready to build on promising start at Man UtdRasmus Hojlund is just getting started at Manchester United (Nick Potts/PA)PA Wire✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today pusoy
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicspusoy BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy pusoy
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply pusoy
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