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All Blacks head coach Ian Foster not convinced on Retallick red card

By Ned Lester
Ian Foster speaks to media following the Japan Test. Photo by Kenta Harada/Getty Images

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster isn’t convinced with the call to issue a red card to his experienced lock Brodie Retallick.

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Retallick received the card in the 65th minute of a close test against a strong Japanese side. The card was given for a breakdown infringement when Retallick made contact with the back of Kazuki Himeno’s neck while attempting to clear the Japanese No 7 from his position over the ball.

Himeno was a disruptive threat at the breakdown throughout the match, securing two turnovers and slowing down New Zealand’s ball.

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The play in question saw Himeno in a great position to earn himself another turnover as he latched onto the ball following a tackle on Anton Lienart-Brown, the flanker saw Retallick approaching and dipped his head to take the contact.

Foster shared his views on the play during a post-match interview with Sky Sport NZ stating there was ‘no intention’.

“We are going to have a good look at it,” he said. “I certainly didn’t see any intention, apart from trying to move a body.

“That’s a process we will have to go through.”

At the time, Referee Nika Amashukeli discussed the facts of the incident with the TMO, stating Retallick had approached the ruck with pace and made ‘direct contact with the neck’, describing the play as having a ‘high degree of danger with no mitigation’.

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Foster’s statement implies the team will review the play and perhaps question the call officially with an appeal to World Rugby.

Retallick could face a suspension if the red card decision is upheld by an independent committee, reducing the All Blacks’ leadership group even further since Sam Cane and Dane Coles returned to New Zealand following the match with injuries that will see them miss the rest of the team’s Northern Tour.

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Foster was very complimentary of the Japanese side after the game, while admitting the match was a tighter encounter than he wanted.

“They [Japan] are a really good team, and we were coming off a long break. That, I guess, made a game that turned out to be much tighter than what we would have wanted,” Foster commented.

“But it was a great performance by them. They pressured us, they came back after that first quarter and showed a lot of spirit.

“But, again, new combinations for us – exposed to a bit of pressure, and came through.”

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Trevor 12 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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