Ian Foster: What All Blacks learnt from Ireland's big wins

The confirmation of the quarter-final matchups was merely a formality for Ian Foster, with the All Blacks coach admitting he was “90 per cent sure” his team would face Ireland in the knockout stages.

With the pools named three years prior to the Rugby World Cup in France, all teams had plenty of opportunity to scout their potential opponents, and as Andy Farrell’s team ascended through the international ranks, it became clear that Ireland would be a force to be reckoned with at the tournament.

Exactly how far the team had come was put to the test last year when Ireland toured New Zealand. Ireland fell to a rampant All Blacks in game one at Eden Park, they are yet to be beaten since.

Claiming victory in the final two Tests of that series and therefore lifting the Steinlager Cup, Ireland sent a strong message; they were out to end their poor track record at Rugby World Cups and were more than capable of downing any world-class outfit that stood in their path.

Knowing just what the world’s No 1 team was capable of, Foster confirmed he had been anticipating the matchup that now lies before his team.

“Yeah, we have been,” he told The Breakdown. “But, you’re still planning for other contingencies too.

“It’s great to know, we were 90 per cent sure and we’ve done a lot of work in that space, but it’s clear now and a pretty exciting occasion.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

2

Draws

0

Wins

3

Average Points scored

22

30

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

40%

Having watched Ireland add to their win streak against top contenders in South Africa and Scotland, the All Blacks coach knows he faces a tried and tested team in fierce form.

“They’ve played really well. They came into this World Cup on quite a big winning streak, so they know their game, they’ve been efficient.

“I thought they probably struggled a bit in the South Africa game, that was always going to be a monster game as well. I thought South Africa got under their skin a little bit.

“South Africa missed three or four kicks which probably cost them in the end but that was a real arm wrestle.

“They finished strong against Scotland, didn’t they? They played well. We know they like to start the game really well and put the contest beyond doubt and they did that.”

Fullback Beauden Barrett admitted the team is still “hurting” from the Steinlager Series loss and is looking forward to the opportunity to “get one up” on the Irish in return.

Barrett was the starting first five-eighth for that series, his positional switch is one of many changes the All Blacks have made since the series loss. Aaron Smith and Rieko Ioane were the only two backs to start every match in the series and hold the same position today. Meanwhile, in the forwards, there have been three changes in the starting tight five.

Outside of the selection choices, Foster highlighted the growth his team has made that will put them in better stead for the fixture.

“We don’t like losing at home, do we? That was a big series and they came pretty buoyant, we came out of a Super (Rugby) season. We weren’t as prepared as we needed to be.

“I think they played their game, the way that they play it and defensively we weren’t quite at the level we needed to be – I think we’ve made some big strides in that part of our game.

“I think our maul defence has taken strides and it’s going to need to but that was an area where we got exposed.

“I guess the third area is, for some reason, teams that play (Ireland) seem to get a few cards. We certainly got a number of yellow cards and a red card in those last two Tests and that will really hurt you against a team that’s really efficient at manipulating space, so we’ve got to get those things right.”