‘Don’t live in the past’: Ian Foster dismisses All Blacks’ semi-final favouritism

Many consider the All Blacks to be overwhelming favourites ahead of their Rugby World Cup semi-final against Los Pumas, but don’t tell coach Ian Foster that.

Foster told reporters earlier this week that they’ve “never heard us say we’re favourites” ahead of the southern hemisphere showdown, and the coach doubled down on that belief on the eve of the Test.

New Zealand have played Argentina 36 times in the Test arena and have won 33. The All Blacks have a history of success against Los Pumas but history doesn’t mean much come Friday night.

Argentina shocked the rugby world with their first-ever win over the New Zealanders a few years ago, and they emerged victorious again in Christchurch 14 months ago, but they’re widely considered the underdogs.

This is the All Blacks at a Rugby World Cup after all. When the Webb Ellis Cup is up for grabs the New Zealanders embody the form of a roaring beast that often proves tough to tame.

But this is a semi-final and both teams deserve to be here. Once a ball is kicked and tries are scored anything can happen, and coach Foster knows that. About 32 hours before the Test, Foster refused to acknowledge the All Blacks as favourites once again.

“There are two teams in the semi-final. Anyone can win. That’s the mindset both teams have got,” Foster told reporters on Thursday.

“We are massively respectful of Argentina. We don’t live in the past. Rugby World Cup tournaments are about the present.

“If you go into a World Cup semi-final thinking the past is going to happen again, you have got problems.

“We are just excited about being there ourselves. Been really impressed with Argentina, how they’ve carried their campaign. It was a great victory against Wales where they showed their tenacity. We know they’ve got that as we play them regularly and they’ve been difficult opponents, so there will be no surprises.”

The All Blacks are coming off a  thrilling 28-24 win over Ireland. Captain Sam Cane and fellow-backrower Ardie Savea were among the standouts as the New Zealanders kept their World Cup dreams alive in France.

As for Argentina, they’re coming off a tough win of their own against Warren Gatland’s Wales in Marseille. Veteran Nicolas Sanchez scored a late try as Los Pumas booked their spot in the semis.

“It’s different as they have different jerseys on, it’s not different from the physical side. We both know how tough each other is,” Foster added.

“They are a very physical, combative team particularly at the breakdown and particularly the way they tackle with the likes of [flanker Marcos] Kremer. He has had a great tournament.

“It’s the same as we had in the quarter-final. We are not going in with any different mindset in that space. The moral of the story is it’s a semi-final and we know that we are facing a team that will scrap for every little bit of possession. We are going to have to be at our best.”.”