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'You always hold your breath': Ian Foster reacts to Barrett verdict
Ian Foster had one word to describe Scott Barrett’s green light to play in the Rugby World Cup opener against France after a red card against the Springboks: “Pleased”.
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Who could blame the coach? Good news is hard to come by after suffering a mammoth loss in his side’s final warm-up match, where he also lost first-choice prop Tyrel Lomax to a gruesome short-term injury.
The prospect of losing his in-form lock was especially troubling for the coach as he and his selectors had opted to risk taking just four locks in total to the tournament, meaning Barrett’s absence in addition to Brodie Retallick’s injury would leave just two second rowers available for their opening game of the campaign.
The decision not to sanction Barrett was due to the nature of the red card being handed out for a second yellow, rather than any foul play that merited more severe punishment.
The judiciary on Tuesday morning concluded that “his ordering off in the RWC 2023 Warm Up match against South Africa on 25 August 2023 was sufficient”.
Barrett received his first yellow card as a result of repeated infringements from his side, Referee Matthew Carley decided he had seen enough of the ill-discipline and Barrett’s penalty came directly following a warning from the match official.
The second yellow was for a reckless clearout on Malcolm Marx, the judiciary found the yellow card appropriate and no further action was required.
“We were pretty confident going in,” Foster told 1News at their base at the Adidas headquarters in Bavaria, Germany.
“It was a two-yellow [red] card – it was a technical red. We had a fair hearing like we always feel we do, and we came out with a great result.
“You always hold your breath, but it was nice, and particularly for Scott. He felt bad about the whole situation. It’s not easy being red-carded and seeing the team concede three lineout maul tries in the second half in an area he takes a lot of pride in.”
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Foster further emphasised his confidence in the outcome while also underlining the need to “respect the process”.
“Judiciaries – you always hold your breath because you’ve got a lot of planning to do, and you’ve got two plans and Scott’s clearly important to us.”
The dominance that the Springboks enjoyed in the match only rubbed salt in the wound as Barrett was relegated to the sideline.
Barrett’s career-best form in 2023 will be essential if New Zealand is to bounce back against the World Cup hosts in Paris, a monumental challenge considering the French team’s form and the 80,000-strong hostile crowd that will line the stands of Stade de France.
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Foster says he had a plan B in place in case Barrett was suspended but laughed off an inquiry into what that entailed, saying he had some notes scribbled down on his iPad but was clearly relieved none of them would see the light of day.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
8 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
8 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
5 Go to comments