The great rugby nation of New Zealand is worried about its gods in black. The team seems to be in a deeper crisis, and not just because of the opening defeat against hosts France at the World Cup.
The famous Haka, a traditional war dance of New Zealand’s indigenous population, the Maori, is always a spectacle for the All Blacks. But the most famous rugby team in the world now has a problem: they hardly spread fear and terror anymore.
“Simply terrible” was the start to the World Cup, said TV expert Israel Dagg after the historic 13:27 in the opening game against hosts France – never before in World Cup history had the Kiwis lost a game in the preliminary round. “We’re not out of the tournament yet, but we’re frustrated”said Ian Foster, the New Zealand national coach.
The shock is still deep, especially since the fans have still not come to terms with the historic 7:35 defeat against arch-rivals South Africa in preparation.
All Blacks – once feared and seemingly invincible
The All Blacks were once feared and seemed invincible. The New Zealanders confidently won the World Cup title in 2011 and 2015. But those times are over. At the last World Cup in 2019 it was already over for the double world champions in the semi-finals after a clear defeat against the English.
The country is now in turmoil, rugby in New Zealand is not just a sport, but an attitude, a kind of religion – and that All Blacks are a sanctuary. They have now slipped to fourth place in the world rankings – something that has never happened before.
New Zealand’s Rieko Ioane in a duel with France’s Damien Penaud
National coach Foster massively criticized
Coach and team don’t really know how to deal with the crisis. “We have to pull ourselves together and look forward”said winger Ardie Savea defiantly: “We have lost a battle, but we still have a war to win.” And head coach Foster, who has of course long been heavily criticized, is sticking to his goal: “Win the tournament.”
But back home the team is already being described as “the worst in history”. A win is absolutely necessary against outsiders Namibia on Friday (September 15th, 2023, 9 p.m.) in Toulouse; an exit in the preliminary round is unimaginable despite the wavering myth and some injury problems. But the experts believe it will probably be over by the quarterfinals at the latest. Because then defending champions South Africa or the strong Irish will probably threaten. The only thing that really counts for New Zealand is the title.
Huge excitement for the unsettled team
But the All Blacks now have theirs “Aura lost”wrote The Times. The excitement surrounding the unsettled team is huge; in a kind of panic attack, ex-head coach Steve Hansen, the 2015 world champion coach, was brought into the coaching staff on an unofficial basis. That’s a bit like Hansi Flick having hired Joachim Löw as an advisor in his final days as national coach.
But the players are happy. Hansen has “a good, deep connection with many of the players he has coached before, you can see that in the players, the smiles and the jokes,” said attacker Dane Coles: “That lifted the mood a little.” But they still don’t spread fear and terror.