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All Blacks expecting Wales game will go down to the wire
By PA
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster says the All Blacks are braced for “a battle of inches” in Saturday’s clash against Wales.
Foster’s team have arrived in Cardiff following a mixed year, winning the Rugby Championship title but also suffering defeats against Ireland (twice), Argentina and South Africa.
New Zealand, though, have beaten Wales 32 times in succession, and have not lost against them since 1953.
“They (Wales) are a team that know their game, they play high-tempo,” Foster said.
“They are very confident in what they do and very physical, a lot of strong ball-carrying and also they quite like the aerial game, so there is a good mix.
“It is always a battle of inches against them if you don’t do well in that close-carry area, otherwise you open up real opportunities for the backs and they will be excited to take it.
“We love playing here, and we are really up for what we know will be a really physical encounter.”
Foster has made wholesale changes from the team that beat Japan last weekend, including starts for the likes of Beauden Barrett, his brother Jordie and Aaron Smith.
It will be Smith’s 113th Test match appearance, taking him above former fly-half Dan Carter as New Zealand’s most-capped back.
Sam Whitelock captains the side due to Sam Cane suffering a tour-ending injury in Japan, with Scott Barrett partnering Whitelock in the second row following Brodie Retallick’s suspension.
There are just three changes from the line-up that defeated Rugby Championship opponents Australia 40-14 in Auckland almost six weeks ago.
Foster added: “There is a passionate rivalry, there is a lot of respect between the two countries.
“There have been some massive occasions where the games have gone down to the wire, and I remember some very close games over the years.
“We look forward to playing here, it’s a special place with the stadium and the Welsh fans, and the Welsh players play for the right reasons.”
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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