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All Blacks v Springboks: Former winger Julian Savea hits out at ‘disturbing’ Ian Foster criticism

All Blacks v Springboks: Former winger Julian Savea hits out at 'disturbing' Ian Foster criticism

The gold rush continues at the Commonwealth Games, All Blacks defeated and Ian Foster’s job hands in the balance and a New Zealand one-two finish at the latest Indycar race in Nashville – Cheree Kinnear gives the highs and lows of the weekend’s sport all in 90 seconds. Video/Photosport/Sky Sport

Former All Blacks winger Julian Savea has hit out at what he believes has been an irresponsible and hurtful social media backlash against beleaguered coach Ian Foster.

Foster has borne the brunt of criticism over the past month for his team’s historic form slump, with news media, rugby pundits and fans all weighing in with myriad opinions as to what leadership mistakes he may have made.

However, Savea says some of that criticism has gone too far, especially on social media where opinions well outside the realm of Foster’s coaching expertise have been loudly voiced.

“Shocked and disturbed at some of the comments and remarks I’ve seen and heard about Ian Foster on social media lately,” Savea wrote on his Twitter account.

Former All Black Julian Savea says criticism of Ian Foster has gone too far. Photo / Photosport
Former All Black Julian Savea says criticism of Ian Foster has gone too far. Photo / Photosport

“In a country where mental health is a big issue, where 72 per cent of suicides are men and a high number of depression amongst men, you would think people would be a bit kinder and think about their words before they make remarks on someone’s integrity , appearance and character, especially when they don’t know them on a personal level.

“I’m ashamed that this is how a human is treated and dragged in the media here in NZ.”

Savea makes his point from a place of experience, having been through his fair share of social media strife; including death threats made toward his baby daughter while playing in France.

That was just one episode from a career he says was full of similar moments, with public judgment and criticism a constant in his time as a professional player.

“Been a constant up and down battle with mental health during my years as a rugby player,” he posted on Instagram in April, 2020.

“From the pressure it brings into my life and personal life to the judgment that is constantly being made about my career.”

Savea’s call for the public to back off when it comes to Foster echoes that of former Scotland coach Matt Williams who said following the side’s series loss to Ireland that the public and media response was embarrassing.

“Ian Foster has suffered far more public criticism and humiliation than any coach should be forced to endure for a sporting defeat,” he wrote in a column for the Irish Times.

“Not for the first time, the reaction to defeat by the New Zealand media and their wider rugby community has exposed a deep flaw of character. The treatment of Foster by his own community has been nothing short of shameful. As a coach, criticism comes with the badge but the personal vilification he has had to endure is simply not acceptable.”

Julian Savea (left) in happier times with Ian Foster in 2012. Photo / Photosport
Julian Savea (left) in happier times with Ian Foster in 2012. Photo / Photosport

Foster himself has conceded the criticism leveled towards him is taking its toll, telling media after the first-test loss to the Springboks last weekend that the evidence was plain to see.

“I’m going gray and my hair is receding pretty quickly. It’s never easy,” Foster told media.

He will be hoping, along with millions of New Zealanders, that the All Blacks squad will bounce back on Sunday in their rematch against the Springboks and the social media noise will quieten.

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Rugby: Springboks winger Kurt-Lee Arendse gets four week ban for red card tackle

Rugby: Springboks winger Kurt-Lee Arendse gets four week ban for red card tackle

The gold rush continues at the Commonwealth Games, All Blacks defeated and Ian Foster’s job hands in the balance and a New Zealand one-two finish at the latest Indycar race in Nashville – Cheree Kinnear gives the highs and lows of the weekend’s sport all in 90 seconds. Video/Photosport/Sky Sport

Springboks wing Kurt-Lee Arendse has been suspended for four weeks after his red card tackle on All Black Beauden Barrett in the first test on Sunday.

Arendse received the red card late in the All Blacks’ 26-10 defeat after wiping Barrett out in the air while he was attempting to field a high ball.

The ugly incident at Mbombela Stadium finished with Barrett landing heavily on his neck.

In a statement, the Sanzaar Foul Play Review Committee said they have agreed to a guilty plea from Arendse.

Beauden Barrett was taken out in mid-air by Kurt-Lee Arendse. Photo / Photosport
Beauden Barrett was taken out in mid-air by Kurt-Lee Arendse. Photo / Photosport

He has been suspended from all forms of the game up to and including September 17.

That means he will be available for South Africa’s final Rugby Championship game against Argentina.

Arendse’s red card is one of two dangerous high ball challenges the All Blacks are seeking clarification on before attempting to arrest their sustained form slump in South Africa.

Scans after the match cleared Barrett of serious neck damage and he did not undergo an HIA assessment. Despite the initial alarm, All Blacks coach Ian Foster is yet to rule Barrett out of the second test at Ellis Park.

“We’ll make a decision on that later in the week but he’s still a bit sore,” Foster said.

As the All Blacks departed the secluded Ingwenyama Conference and Sport Resort for Johannesburg’s business district, Foster made his feelings on the incident clear when asked if he had concerns about the nature of the challenge.

“Massive concerns,” Foster said. It’s probably worst I’ve seen.”

Foster also expressed frustrations with a similar incident involving Arendse, who faces a lengthy suspension for his red card, earlier in the match on Jordie Barrett.

“It’s pretty disappointing because it happened in the 10th minute as well and they deemed that it was fair,” Foster said. “That’s part of the problem in the game. In the lineout if you throw a jumper over to their side with an arm up it’s considered obstruction whereas it’s becoming a bit of a free for all for jumpers to jump and stick a hand out and say they’re competing, so it needs to be addressed.”

The challenge on Jordie Barrett was reviewed at the time by the TMO but Foster now plans to take his concerns to World Rugby officials.

“We’ve got to make sure we’re protecting guys in the air. To be fair if you’re going to compete you should at least show a couple of hands up.

“We need to make sure we seek clarification about what we can and can’t do particularly with high balls and also with the breakdown, how to move people.”

Jordie Barrett left the field in the second half with an ankle injury that Foster confirmed was “bad” and is therefore likely to rule him out of the second test.

Whether Will Jordan – who was dominated from the right wing in the air by Springboks opposite Makazole Mapimpi – Beauden Barrett or Stephen Perofeta starts at fullback they can expect another aerial assault from the Boks.

With that in mind, Foster is intent on cleaning up challenges in the air to ensure a fair and safe contest for the ball.

The only certainty is the Boks will stick with their kick-heavy tactics that brought success in the form of their opening try to Arendse and several other gains.

“It becomes a lot easier if there’s a wide interpretation of what you can do underneath it. We’ve got to look at our responsibilities in the air and how we catch it because it’s coming but, by the same token, we do expect more protection than we got.”

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