All Blacks search for united front after Foster soap opera: 4 key areas to work on

With just over a year until the Rugby World Cup in France, All Blacks coach Ian Foster has been given the vote of confidence despite poor results.

AFP Sport looks at what the All Blacks and Foster must do, starting with a home Test against Argentina on 27 August 27 in the Rugby Championship, if they are to lift the World Cup for a fourth time.

Show a united front

The All Blacks set-up has resembled a soap opera in recent weeks.

They bounced back from three straight defeats with a stunning win over South Africa last Saturday in Johannesburg. But New Zealand Rugby boss Mark Robinson refused to say afterwards whether Foster would remain in charge.

A few days later, the two sat together in a hastily arranged press conference after Foster was given the nod to carry on for the World Cup.

Robinson admitted of the uncertainty and mixed messages: "Sure, we never get everything right. We feel it's a new dawn for this team."

Right or wrong, the decision on Foster has been made, but the saga put nobody in a good light.

Win back the fans

Two victories alongside five defeats from their last seven games is an unacceptable record for All Blacks supporters used to their team crushing the opposition.

Foster knows he must win back fans, pundits and media who doubt him.

Good performances and victories are the only way he can silence those who shouted "Foster out" after consecutive defeats at home to the Irish in July.

Home Tests against Argentina before back-to-back ties against under-performing Australia present Foster with the perfect chance to prove that New Zealand were right to stick with him.

But lose and the pressure could become intolerable.

"All I can do is chip away at maybe earning some respect from people who may have a different opinion