The times they are a challenging

adjustments came – then, as in now, mid-World Cup cycle – personnel were retained (lock Isaac Ross was the only other major casualty), game-plans redrawn, techniques honed and deficiencies addressed. By 2010 the All Blacks had turned a corner, winning 13 of 14 tests (including all three against the Boks), and the platform was reset in time for the 2011 World Cup triumph.

Can Foster make 2009-level adjustments to get things back on track for France ‘23? Only if he acknowledges what has just played out, deep dives into the shortcomings, makes the necessary hard calls in one or two key areas and figures out away for the All Blacks pack to again be a dominant force against a heavyweight opponent. round games of the better bookends of the north, and the old-firm second row of Brodie Retallick and SamWhitelockwas outplayed over the final two tests. Big menwho can carry, get gain-line and flick the odd offload are required. The lineout needs a tidy, too, and the defence of the drivewas shown up by the French. Dealingwith defensive line-speed remains the unsolved puzzle.

Challenge for ’22: Revive the tight five. Whether that’s upskilling, bringing in fresh talent or rotating what’s on hand, Foster has to find some grunt and grind from his bigmen. Settle on a midfield and let ‘em roll. Figure out the No 6 conundrum. Make the big calls on the vetswho might not have twomore years in them. Develop a game-plan to combat line-speed.