Foster highlights game management
SYDNEY: All Black coach Ian Foster received another reminder of just how high expectations are for the All Blacks after his team’s record victory over Australia in the opening match of the TriNations on Saturday night.
Despite the clinical win and ensuring the Bledisloe Cup would remain in New Zealand for an 18th straight year, the first question he faced in his news conference was about areas that needed improvement.
‘‘Rather than talk about any areas of concern, I thought the thing that worked well for us was our game management,’’ the 55yearold pivoted with the deftness of the first fiveeighth he was during his playing days.
‘‘I thought you saw a patient All Black performance in the first half. Sometimes we are guilty of overplaying situations but in the wet conditions, that’s the area I’m most proud of.’’
Pulling the strings for the All Blacks at No 10 in the 435 victory was Richie Mo’unga, who was an easy choice for man of the match after scoring two tries and kicking 13 points.
Foster was quick to pay credit to the other players in the backline and said it had been particularly pleasing to see Beauden Barrett slotting into the playmaker role from fullback when the opportunity arose.
‘‘I thought Richie, that was probably one of the best game management games I’ve seen him play for us for a while and Beauden’s a class player whether at 10 or 15,’’ Foster said.
‘‘The fact is that we’ve got two good options there which is very exciting.’’
Foster was delighted that the All Blacks had been able to secure the Bledisloe Cup on Australian soil for the first time since 2009. — Reuters