Mark Robinson: New Zealand Rugby chief admits to mistakes made during the Ian Foster saga

Dylan Coetzee

New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has admitted that they made mistakes during the Ian Foster saga, particularly with how they communicated with the media.

The governing body has finally backed head coach Foster to lead the All Blacks to the Rugby World Cup next year after months of speculation around his job following a poor start to the Test season that included a July series loss to Ireland and a defeat to South Africa.

A low point

The All Blacks were ranking fifth in the world – their lowest in history – but put in a brilliant performance against the Springboks in the second Test at Ellis Park, claiming a 35-23 win over their rivals.

The positive victory restored NZR’s faith in Foster after they failed to correctly address the media on their position with the coach on several occasions.

NZR chief executive Mark Robinson and chair Stewart Mitchell addressed the press on Wednesday and admitted the board had made mistakes.

“We acknowledge we haven’t got everything right, we’re not hiding from that,’’ he said.

Robinson claimed the mistake revolved around media interaction and admits it is an area they could have improved on.

“Aspects of the sequencing in how we interacted with media and the public is something we could have done differently.”

Always going to “take stock” after South Africa

Robinson also claimed that there was always a plan to evaluate the team’s situation after the South African tour. However, the NZR chief admits it is a difficult balance when people want to know what is going on behind closed doors and there are not many answers to give.

“People want to hear what’s going on, they want engagement and access and openness. When you attempt to achieve that, but you’re not in a position to really say a lot, then the flip side is you are criticised for doing that. We are always learning,” he added.

The chief held a press conference in Johannesburg before leaving for New Zealand and said the board would “take stock” of the situation but received huge criticism for not making a decision then.

“We were attempting to respond to a general demand to be want to be more open and want to be more transparent and give us much as we can possibly can at a time when people are curious, and we don’t always make the right decisions,” he said.

Challenging position

Robinson says the board was in a difficult position where there would have been backlash regardless of their decision.

“It’s difficult, isn’t it, if you don’t say things and think of the best interests of the team and wait till they’re out of the country, you’re criticised for going missing in action,” he added.

”But if you turn up and do have something to say when you’re not in strong position to say a lot of things, you get criticised for having to be in a position where you’re not saying anything.”

The 48-year-old says the board are committed to Foster taking the team to the 2023 Rugby World Cup and feels it is the best decision.

“We are drawing a line under that now. We’ve made a really strong commitment and set out our stall around what we think is the best for this organisation and the team and we get in behind it.”

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