'We got the better coach': RA chairman's barb at Ian Foster
The pre-Bledisloe Cup war is raging on with Australia continuing to fire shots at All Black coach Ian Foster ahead of today's clash.
Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan has ranked the Wallabies' Kiwi coach Dave Rennie above his All Black counterpart Ian Foster, and says his New Zealand friends feel the same way.
This comes days after notorious Sydney radio host Alan Jones, one of Australia's most famous coaches, predicted the New Zealand public could quickly turn on Foster, who he said was an unpopular choice.
McLennan wound up the pressure on Foster, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that "a lot of my Kiwi mates agree that we got the better coach".
"When I look at the coaches, I think we got the better one," he said.
"I'm really impressed with Dave. He's settled the squad down and I think we've got the balance right.
"There's a real buzz in Australia about the test…but there's no doubt we're massive underdogs against a formidable All Blacks side. This is the first step in a three-year journey."
Rennie and Foster are former Chiefs coaches. Rennie, the man who broke the Chiefs' title drought, said he would like to have a beer with Foster after the second test in Auckland.
Both men will take charge of their sides for the first time in today's test in Wellington, although Foster was a long time All Blacks assistant.
Foster's image was badly hit by the All Blacks World Cup collapse against England. Rennie took himself out of the All Black race, honouring his commitment to Australia instead.
McLennan - who wasn't in charge when the Kiwi was signed by Rugby Australia - is already touting Rennie as a long-term coach, beyond the next World Cup.
Latest Comments
Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to comments