Hart broken?

All Black coach in jeopardy after upset loss

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Posted: Monday November 01, 1999 02:59 PM

Critics believe John Hart's relaxed approach might have cost New Zealand to suffer a huge upset loss to France. Mike Hewitt/Allsport

LONDON (Reuters) -- Public relations skills acquired as a senior executive in one of New Zealand's largest companies may not be enough to save John Hart's job as All Black coach.

Hart, articulate and engaging, has applied a corporate gloss to a team who carry the hopes and aspirations of a small nation.

But for all the off-field charm offensive, which has effectively banished the old image of the unsmiling giants, the All Blacks failed to deliver where it mattered on Sunday.

New Zealand lost 43-31 to France in their World Cup semifinal, surrendering a 14-point lead and conceding more points than any other All Black side.

The biggest failing in the eyes of New Zealand supporters was the All Blacks' lack of an alternative game plan when the tide began to flow in the direction of France.

Hart's detractors say his insistence on controlling all aspects of New Zealand's game has reduced on-field initiative.

They also question his faith in Taine Randell who critics say is not worth his place either as number eight or captain.

But most worryingly, New Zealand could not finish off a team they defeated by a record 54-7 last June.

"They played like rich bastards," said one seasoned New Zealand commentator. "They're like those boxers in Manila who start wearing large rings on their fingers and lose their hunger for fighting."

Hart's defenders will point to his achievement in turning around a side who lost an unprecedented five matches in a row last year but recovered to win the Tri-Nations this year.

In the space of a year, New Zealand had lost the spine of the side who had played possibly the best rugby in their history with captain Sean Fitzpatrick, number eight Zinzan Brooke and centre Frank Bunce all dropping out of international rugby.

Hart responded by naming the inexperienced Randell as captain and this year swapped prolific try-scoring fullback Christian Cullen and wing Jeff Wilson.

Cullen was moved to centre at the start of the World Cup to allow the return of Jonah Lomu and has struggled to make any impact on the tournament.

Each of these decisions can be justified and there were no complaints when New Zealand beat England 30-16 in the pivotal group match.

Doubts resurfaced when New Zealand conceded 15 points during the second half of the quarterfinal against Scotland and Randell admitted they had lost their composure.

Sunday's defeat can be attributed to a magical 30 minutes for France when everything attempted by playmaker Christophe Lamaison came off.

But Hart's detractors have pointed out the team lacked the ability to close down the game, once the benchmark of a good New Zealand side.

"We have no excuses," said Hart. "We were outplayed in the second half from a situation from where we should have won.

"We went out to keep the ball in our hands in the second half and we didn't do that. We put ourselves under huge pressure."

While talk shows in New Zealand were flooded with callers demanding Hart and Randell's resignations, there was no doubting the depth of despair in the New Zealand dressing room.

"I've seen some disappointments but this is the biggest I have seen," said Hart. "We feel as if we have let everyone down.

"What else can I say? I can only apologize."

New Zealand will start rebuilding for the 2003 Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the knowledge that their vice-captain Wilson, recently voted the best winger to play for New Zealand, will not be around.

Lomu, who has scored a record 15 tries in two World Cups without being part of a Cup-winning side, may also be missing in four years' time.

Lomu will announce this week which, if any, of the lucrative offers he has accepted to switch to rugby league, although he could theoretically change codes again and play in the 2003 tournament.

"I've had two chances and it hasn't happened," said Wilson. "I gave it my all and it wasn't to be."

Hart's fate may not rest in his own hands.

 

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