Foster banks on winners
Ian Foster has remained loyal to the men who saved him from the sack, enabling him to begin the next chapter of his career as All Blacks coach.
Had Beauden Barrett not been injured at training on Tuesday, Foster would have likely named the same team that stunned the Springboks 35-23 in Johannesburg on August 14, for the test against Argentina in Christchurch tomorrow night.
Now, with Barrett unavailable after hurting his neck, the uncapped Stephen Perofeta has been listed on the bench as cover for first five-eighth and fullback.
Foster said Barrett’s injury was not related to any concussion issues, but it was too early to say when he would be declared fit: The absence of Barrett means Richie Mo’unga will get the chance to start his first test at first-five on his home ground at Orangetheory Stadium.
While his performance at Ellis Park wasn’t without its blemishes, Mo’unga’s kicking game and decision-making were instrumental in the All Blacks turning around a 26-10 loss to the Springboks in Mbombela to punish the same foe at their fortress of Ellis Park.
After the series of events that unfolded following the victory at Ellis Park, which eventually led to NZ Rugby endorsing him through to the World Cup, Foster must have been relieved to finally get on the training pitch and focus on the remainder of the Rugby Championship.
As well as now having exireland coach Joe Schmidt guiding the team’s attack, forwards coach Jason Ryan has also joined Schmidt and Foster as a selector.
The players’ response to Schmidt joining the staff after Brad Mooar was ditched following the 2-1 series loss to Ireland last month has been positive.
The best way to hose down speculation about Foster’s suitability for the job, now, is for his players – who came out in support of their coach after the win in Jo’burg – to snare another win.
There could be few complaints about the selections for this test, not after the way the All Blacks produced a dynamite performance to break a sickly three-game losing streak.
With ex-wallabies coach Michael Cheika now in charge, and ex-kiwis coach and player David Kidwell running the defence, Argentina have been determined to play an up-tempo game laced with typical aggression at the breakdown.
Argentina’s recent 48-17 win over the Wallabies in San Juan ensures their confidence levels should have been topped up.