The All Blacks looking downcast. Photo: EPA/Dave Hunt

The All Blacks looking downcast. Photo: EPA/Dave Hunt

INSIGHT: Why things have gone wrong for All Blacks, NZ Rugby

Former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has provided fascinating insight into the issues facing New Zealand Rugby.

The All Blacks looking downcast. Photo: EPA/Dave Hunt

The All Blacks looking downcast. Photo: EPA/Dave Hunt

The Boks are set to face the All Blacks in a blockbuster double-header in the first half of August, with New Zealand coming off the back of a humbling series defeat against Ireland, while South Africa clinched a 2-1 series win over Wales.

WIN | TICKETS TO WATCH THE SPRINGBOKS FACE THE ALL BLACKS!

The Springboks have slipped from first to third in the world rankings, while the All Blacks are in fourth, only just ahead of England.

There have been serious question marks hanging over the balance and quality of the current All Blacks squad, and while coach Ian Foster is also under immense pressure, he has suggested “we have a plan to play a brand of rugby against South Africa that New Zealanders will be proud of.”

READ | JACQUES NIENABER ADMITS ‘BOMB SQUAD’ COMES AT A RISK

Hansen – widely viewed as the greatest All Blacks coach – has now taken a closer look at the issues facing New Zealand Rugby, revealing what the root cause of the problem really is.

“He (Foster) won’t be happy with how things have gone of late but I don’t think the issue is just inside the team. There are bigger issues than that,” Hansen said.

“The relationship between the board and the executive with the players at the moment is probably the worst it’s ever been. The way they handled the new (Silver Lake) money scheme … (former chairman) Brent Impey came out and absolutely roasted the players, with no consultation.

“I don’t think they (NZR) are doing their job right at the moment. You’ve got a group of great All Black captains coming out and forming a group which went and spoke to them … Kirky (All Blacks great Ian Kirkpatrick) was in the paper saying they felt they weren’t listened to.

“Let’s start there, to get that right. If you look back to when we were really successful from about 2010 to 2019, which was our most successful era, the board and the executive at the rugby union were humming.

“There was complete togetherness and connection with the actual All Black team.”

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BOKS’ RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES AS ALL BLACKS DOUBLE-HEADER LOOMS:

Saturday, 6 August: Springboks v New Zealand – Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, 17:05

Saturday, 13 August: Springboks v New Zealand – Ellis Park, Johannesburg, 17:05

Saturday, 27 August: Springboks v Australia – Adelaide Oval, 07:30

Saturday, 3 September: Springboks v Australia – Allianz Stadium, 11:35

Saturday, 17 September: Springboks v Argentina – Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires, 21:10

Saturday, 24 September: Springboks v Argentina – Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban, 17:05