Foster talks up Bok chances

CHRISTCHURCH: The All Blacks assistant coach, Ian Foster, has laughed off suggestions that the Springboks are there for the taking when the teams meet in a Rugby Championship match here at AMI Stadium on Saturday.

The Boks, under new coach Allister Coetzee, have struggled for consistency this year and go into Saturday’s Test on the back of two losses – against Argentina in Salta, and against the Wallabies in Brisbane last Saturday.

At the same time, the All Blacks whipped Wales in June and are three from three in the Championship, having twice beaten the Wallabies and scored eight tries against Argentina last weekend.

But Foster was having none of it yesterday when quizzed about the strength of the Bok side.

“Judging by some of the questions here it’s as if people think we believe (the Boks) are not going to be competitive,” said Foster.

“This is South Africa – we’re preparing to play against a team that historically in the last three to four years beat us and pushed us close.

“They’re always going to be physical, the breakdown is always going to be a massive challenge, and the set pieces are always going to be a real and even contest.”

Foster was then asked whether the current New Zealand group had been made aware of how close the last match was between the teams – a 20-18 win in the World Cup semi-final in London in October last year.

“The semi-final hasn’t been discussed at all because the players know that inherently this is a massive Test. It’s the one Test we’ve been looking forward to all year.

“The fact is an All Black and Springbok Test is always at the top of the list of games we look forward to.”

Foster added he was reading nothing into the Boks’ three defeats this season.

“They’ll be hurting after a couple of losses, and that’s all they’ll need (for motivation).

“If we were in the same position, I know how we’d try and respond. We’re under no illusions of the scope of this week.”

A bonus point win for the All Blacks would give them 20 points with two games to go, virtually guaranteeing them another Championship title.