Cheika hits back at Foster after famous win over NZ

Michael Cheika has voiced his frustration after Ian Foster claimed Argentina bent the rules during their shock win over New Zealand on Saturday.

Los Pumas emerged surprise 25-18 victors in Christchurch, thanks to a second half try from flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez and a 20 point kicking haul from winger Emiliano Boffelli.

The win vindicated the impressive work Cheika is doing in Argentina and created yet more questions about the trajectory of All Blacks rugby.

The result came mere days after the New Zealand hierarchy side-lined rumours of Foster’s departure, promising to keep him in place as head coach until next year’s World Cup.

However, this most recent loss, which is New Zealand’s sixth in their last eight tests, has rattled Foster, who in the aftermath complained that Argentina interfered at the ruck, slowed down the pace of attacking ball, and that these infringements went unnoticed by 27-year-old Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli.

“Overall, I just felt that they got away with some stuff at the breakdown, not releasing the ball carrier on the ground, and we weren’t able to deal with it,” Foster said.

“It was an area we got hammered in the penalty count at critical times. I’m probably a little bit bemused by some of that.”

Unsurprisingly, Cheika took issue with Foster’s comments.

“Well, he’d be an expert on it because his team does it all the time, so he should know,” the Argentina coach said. “I don’t know if that’s the right response after the game."

In criticising the under-fire All Blacks coach, Cheika made a sly reference to Scott Robertson, the man many think should replace Foster.

Robertson has now won six successive Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders, but was overlooked for New Zealand’s top role in favour of Foster. He incidentally also coached Argentine flanker Pablo Matera at the Crusaders this past season.

“I think that the Crusaders have made a really huge mark, and Scott Robertson has made a really huge mark on Pablo.

“It shows the quality of the franchise and the coaching here, he’s come back a heaps better player – mentally and technically.”

Argentina travel to Hamilton next Saturday hoping to build upon their first even test win on New Zealand soil, but Cheika knows Los Pumas are likely to face an enlivened opponent.

“It’s a blockbuster because they’re going to be coming with everything.”