Springboks hit back at All Blacks coach after latest chirp

The Springboks have reiterated that they are unbothered by some thinly-veiled criticism that came their way from All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and All Blacks coach Ian Foster. Photo: @BokRugby via Twitter.

Following this World Cup, All Blacks coach Ian Foster will be replaced by Crusaders boss Scott Robertson, but in recent times there have been a few times when Foster has shared some controversial opinions about the Springboks and the state of the game.

Most recently, the current New Zealand coach suggested that the All Blacks’ one-sided trouncing of Italy was a better spectacle than the tense Ireland win over the Springboks.

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THE SPRINGBOKS AREN’T TAKING THE BAIT

South Africa and New Zealand won’t meet at this World Cup unless both sides progress to the final, but the Springboks clearly have no interest in getting drawn into a debate over aesthetics.

“It doesn’t bother us,” Stick said. “World Cup rugby doesn’t have to be pretty and if you go back to past Rugby World Cup years, there was nothing about beautiful rugby.

“We revisited the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, and the tournament remains a very tough one to win, with most of the finals being won through kicking. It was beautiful to see the 32-12 scoreline [in 2019], but the game was effectively between Handre Pollard and Owen Farrell.

“Pollard kept the scorecard ticking over well for us and England felt the scoreboard pressure and played out of structure. World Cup rugby is never about champagne rugby, so Ian Foster can say what he wants to say, but ask those who watched our game against Ireland, they were entertained for 80 minutes. He [Foster] is entitled to have his opinion but for me, that was the game of the tournament.”

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