'We want to make a statement': All Blacks coach Ian Foster issues warning ahead of second Bledisloe Cup clash
If anyone expects the All Blacks to roll over and let the Wallabies snap a 34-year losing run at Eden Park in Sunday’s second Bledisloe Cup tie, Ian Foster has another thing coming for you.
The almost three-and-a-half decade long drought has been a focal point of discussion leading into this week’s trans-Tasman derby following the gripping 16-all draw in Wellington last Sunday.
The All Blacks’ performance in that stalemate wasn’t a perfect way to kick-off Ian Foster’s and Sam Cane’s tenures as head coach and captain of the national side, with a new-look Wallabies outfit asserting their dominance on New Zealand soil.
That’s something that has eluded the Australians since their last win on this side of the ditch in 2001, but under Dave Rennie’s watch, the Wallabies look a refreshed side that poses a genuine threat to that long-standing record.
As such, some of the greatest players to have pulled on the green and gold jersey, such as David Campese and Dan Herbert, have suggested over the past week that the All Blacks have lost their “aura” as optimism in Australia continues to rise leading into this weekend.
Foster has other plans, however, telling media on Friday that he and his side are eager to prove a point after delivering what they felt was a disappointing showing in the Kiwi capital five days ago.
“We’re fully used to those comments, and those comments come every time we have a performance that doesn’t reach our expectations,” he said.
“So there’s not much point arguing with them, because if we’re not happy with where we’re at, then that’s all we’re worrying about.
“Is it time for a statement? Well, yes it is. We do want to make a statement. We actually want to get our levels to where we want to be, and there’s a group here that’s working really hard to do that, they’re excited by it.”
In order to make that statement, Foster has made five changes to his starting side, most notably demoting man-of-the-moment Rieko Ioane to the bench after his infamous knock-on while in the act of scoring over the tryline.
While his inexplicable blunder created numerous headlines throughout the week, Foster maintained he was impressed with the 23-year-old’s efforts in Wellington, but instead opted for the level-headedness of Anton Lienert-Brown at No. 13.
“We’ve got three quality midfielders there at the moment, and just felt that this week, one of Anton’s strengths probably is decision-making around our organisation and little things like that,” Foster said.
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“We just felt bringing him back in will give us a bit of an edge in that space, but, largely, I was actually pretty happy with a lot of things Rieko did last week, so we’ll use his involvement off the bench in a different way and hopefully maximise the three of them.”
Elsewhere, star playmaker Beauden Barrett returns to the run-on side at fullback after an achilles niggle ruled him out of the draw last week, but it’s the return of his brother Scott from a long-term toe injury that will be particularly pleasing for Foster.
Given the lack of depth in New Zealand’s lock stocks, having the 36-test star back in the mix and available for selection is a significant bonus, even if he is set to make his return to rugby off the bench as a replacement.
“I rate him at 100 percent. He wouldn’t be out there otherwise,” Foster said of Barrett’s fitness levels, despite having not played any rugby since pre-COVID Super Rugby.
“The minutes will be based on his fitness levels more than anything, not so much the injury.
“The injury’s cleared, so the last two weeks, he’s been through full contact, he’s been through full scrummaging loads, which was the big concern with that injury, and there was a feeling we could have even played him last week, but we really didn’t want to put him in too early.”
With veteran second rower Sam Whitelock ruled out of the fixture with concussion issues, one-test prospect Tupou Vaa’i has been handed a starting role alongside Patrick Tuipulotu.
The fact that the rising 20-year-old star has made the starting XV is a testament to the belief that Foster has in the man who only made his Chiefs debut in the first match of Super Rugby Aotearoa four months ago.
“Yeah, potentially, but [he’s] been out for a while, and just feel in this particular case, it’s really a vote of confidence in Tupou,” Foster said when asked if Barrett was considered for a place in the starting team.
“I think he showed us during the training weeks that he’s trained at a high level, he’s been in the role, done his systems work the last two weeks and, again, I thought he should be pretty proud of his effort when he came off the bench last week.”
Two Barretts are back for the upcoming Bledisloe – but only one of them will start. What has Ian Foster seen in Tupou Vaa'i to keep Scott Barrett on the pine? #AllBlacks #BledisloeCup #NZLvAUShttps://t.co/uMRDc1NtFb
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 16, 2020
The match won’t just be a big occasion for Vaa’i, as impressive Blues prop Alex Hodgman is poised to make his test debut after being named on the bench in place of Super Rugby teammate Karl Tu’inukuafe.
“Alex, I think, has trained really, really well. We’ve picked some new players, and I think I said early on through this series, we want to make sure we give people some opportunity, so there’s a sense of that,” Foster said of his selection.
“Karl scrummed really strongly last week, so it’s a chance for Alex to have an opportunity.
“He’s a mobile loosehead, so I think he brings a bit of mobility to the game, and against a team that wants to play sort of a fast ruck-and-run game, that’s going to be good for us.
“He can’t wait to get on the park.”
Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments