The New Zealand Herald has called embattled All Blacks coach Ian Foster "a decent man who is out of his depth in a brutal business" as he prepares for a Test that could seal his fate.New Zealand tackle arch foes South Africa in the Rugby Championship in Johannesburg on Saturday, and a sixth loss in seven Tests will almost certainly spell the end for likeable but beleaguered 'Fossie'.The ferocity of the Springboks last weekend delivered a 26-10 first-round triumph over the All Blacks in Mbombela, pushing Foster ever closer to the exit door.That beating - the biggest in South Africa since 1928 - left not only Foster but also captain and flanker Sam Cane at the receiving end of a barrage of condemnation.
Following almost a decade assisting head coach Steve Hansen, the 57-year-old former flyhalf took charge of the All Blacks after a semi-final defeat by England at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.Helped enormously by stars like Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, Hansen lost just 10 of 107 Tests, and Foster has been unable to match that record.In charge of the three-time world champions for 26 internationals, he has lost nine, including to Ireland (three times), France and South Africa from last November.Many critics believe time is up for Foster and, whatever the result at Ellis Park, he must quit or be axed."I do not think Foster can save his job now.
The noise is too loud. He really is on borrowed time," says Stuff website columnist Mark Reason, who called the All Blacks "a laughing stock".New Zealand rugby writer Marc Hinton did not spare Foster ahead of the showdown at Ellis Park, where South Africa have won nine and lost five of 14 previous Tests between the countries."The All Blacks are not just losing, they look befuddled.