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Why All Blacks boss Ian Foster doesn't believe his side were second-best to the Wallabies
By AAP
Beaten in almost every statistical division, All Blacks coach Ian Foster won't concede they were second-best to the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup test.
The 16-16 draw in Wellington was an instant classic, Australia bringing the kind of intensity missing from previous outings in New Zealand.
The Wallabies bested the All Blacks in metres gained (525-483), carries (153-91), and passes (190-122).
They also conceded fewer turnovers (20-12) and were forced into fewer tackles (202-105).
Dave Rennie's side couldn't make that count where it mattered; on the scoreboard.
From the opening whistle, the Wallabies were up for the contest and were unfortunate to go behind on nine minutes through Jordie Barrett's opening try.
Foster said the early scoreboard advantage - which the All Blacks held until late in the contest - flavoured the statistics and Australia weren't the better side.
"I'm not a great believer that possession is the all-important stat," he said.
"We striked and scored a try and it was really well executed but we were only holding the ball for 20 seconds.
"So it's not always a great indicator but I think it swung too far in their way."
The contest has sparked hopes for a closely fought Bledisloe Cup, though Foster - a long term All Blacks assistant - doesn't share them.
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"I kind of liked it the way it was," Foster said, referring to the 17 straight Kiwi wins, many with him involved.
After the match, Foster invited the Wallabies, including captain Michael Hooper on the occasion of his 100th test, into the All Blacks changerooms.
"We had a great time," he said.
"We presented something to Michael on his 100th Test match. Players themselves, they know everything that goes into that.
"There was a great feeling in the sheds afterwards and there's a lot of mutual respect there … we want this to be the way these two countries behave."
The four-test series move s now to Eden Park, where New Zealand holds a formidable record.
The All Blacks are unbeaten in 43 matches at the Auckland stadium dating back to 1994.
"I don't know if I'm allowed to say this but it has always felt like our home ground," he said.
"There's always been a lot of big tests, so it's got a lot of history.
"Does it help us beyond that? It doesn't help us at all.
"What's going to do the business next weekend is this All Blacks team, learning from a 16-all draw, taking the good stuff out … and growing some other parts of our game."
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Latest Comments
There is this thing going around against Siya Kolisi where they don't want him to be known as the best national captain ever, so they strike him down in ratings permanently whenever they can. They want McCaw and reckons he is the best captain ever. I disagree.
Just like they refuse to see SA as the best team and some have even said that should the Boks win a third WC in a row, they will still not be the best team ever. Even if they win every game between now and the WC. That is some serious hate coming SA's way.
Everyone forget how the McCaw AB's intimidated refs, was always on the wrong side, played on the ground etc. Things they would never have gotten away with today. They may have a better win ratio, but SA build depth, not caring about rank inbetween WC's until this year.
They weren't as bad inbetween as people claim, because non e of their losses was big ones and they almost never faced the strongest Bok team outside of the WC, allowing countries like France and Ireland to rise to the top unopposed.
Rassie is still at it, building more depth, getting more young stars into the fold. By the time he leaves (I hope never) he will leave a very strong Bok side for the next 15- 20 years. Not everyone will play for 20 years, but each year Rassie acknowledge the young stars and get them involved and ready for international rugby.
Not everyone will make it to the WC, but those 51/52 players will compete for those spots for the WC. They will deliver their best. The future of the Boks is in very safe hands. The only thing that bothers me is Rassie's health. If he can overcome it, rugby looks dark for the rest of the rugby world. He is already the greatest coach in WR history. By the time he retires, he will be the biggest legend any sport has ever seen
Go to commentsWas it? I just brought it up in some of my posts to rub it in that the AB last year nearly put 100 on a top 6N side lol
I agree to be honest. The biggest key to me that they might be jadded was none of them had mom performances, or even as good as their last three games.
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