All Blacks coach Ian Foster says his team need to be smarter and calmer when “provoked” by the opposition.
Saturday night’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Brisbane produced two red cards, two yellow cards, and plenty of niggle as tempers threatened to boil over.
The Wallabies came away with the 24-22 win, and Foster was left lamenting his team’s lack of discipline.
The red cards handed to All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Wallabies debutant Lachie Swinton stole the headlines immediately after the match.
But a late cynical foul from All Blacks lock Scott Barrett seemed to irk Foster just as much.
Barrett was handed a yellow card in the 68th minute when he knocked the ball out of the hands of Nic White as the Wallabies halfback was preparing to pass from a ruck.
“In the second half we weren’t as disciplined as we needed to be,” Foster said on Sunday after having time to digest the game.
“We were being pushed in the areas and provoked in the areas, and again that’s a tactic that teams use against us, and good on them.
“We’ve got to be better than that and smarter than that.
“We gave away some kickable penalties. And then that yellow was sort of on top of that and probably just reflected a little bit of frustration when there didn’t need to be any frustration.”
The All Blacks cried foul after the 16-16 draw in Wellington last month, saying the referee did not do enough to punish off-the-ball hits inflicted by the Wallabies.
Foster said his team had no excuses for the ill discipline on Saturday night, and wants to see them adopt a calmer approach in similarly feisty situations in the future.
Some former players have criticised the amount of cards handed out following Saturday’s match, but Foster believes it’s a necessary measure to have.
“It was a game played on the edge. Everyone could see that. There was a lot of intention, a lot of physicality from both teams,” Foster said.
“And some of that bordered on margins that makes people open for punishment.
“Quite frankly, that sort of reminded us a little bit of the first Test in Wellington.
“And that’s why, when people start talking about ‘You don’t need cards’ and all that. I get that argument to one extent.
“But the flipside of it is it’s a very physical game, and if we don’t have clear boundaries, it becomes really hard for everyone to play the skilful game they need to.”
Paulo
Roar Rookie
It was a bit long... but only on our side of the field :silly:
kgbagent
Roar Rookie
Get over yourself - 2 points is not a beating
kgbagent
Roar Rookie
lol
kgbagent
Roar Rookie
I wish you had stayed away - there is a new article on here about how one win brings out the Wobblies hopefuls and you epitomize this false promise
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Gloria, we should not conflate Jman with Trump. One we only know through a biased media., and has millions of supporters. The other lives near a pulpit on his own planet.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
:thumbup: Yes. He will be blaming the length of the grass on the pitch next. :happy:
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
Soon! :silly:
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Probably, so we have to make the most of this ‘massive’ win. :laughing:
Malachy
Roar Rookie
Surprising bullying behaviour: I must admit to some surprise at the bullying display from Anton Lienert Brown on Nic White. The latter is a cheeky little yapper and probably quite irritating. Anton is imho a very good, clear-headed athlete - unusual to see the ugly loss of cool. Then Perenara indulged in a similar overbearing dog display, before grinning and whining a false-smile apology. Makes one wonder if there has been a prior conversation to shut down the little feller.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
And of course I’m very happy you’re not in a gang. Do your very best to convince Kennith (Catchpoole) not to enter one. He won’t listen to me.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Very kind of you Gloria! Thanks !
Jokerman
Roar Guru
All good, Poco! Peace, from the wise one ! :shocked: :rugby: :rugby:
Gloria
Roar Rookie
That is, sorta sadly, pretty true.
Gloria
Roar Rookie
It’s a question. So defensive :laughing:
Gloria
Roar Rookie
Playing a superior team.
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
Jman, your comments were a bit outrageous so could'nt let it go without a retort. However it would be very boring if we all had the same views. So viva la difference. I'm in no gang thank you very much, just in a brotherhood of good people who love rugby - you included. As for refs, they are good people too who I think do their best but like everyone can have off days and miss some things. Some are better than others but don't deserve to be slagged like they are. We are all fallible, even refs. I'm certain they all go through the replays after the games and kick themselves for what they missed. Cheers
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
Right until you lose the cup again next year!
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Never made any excuses. I literally called the ABs arrogant, and you still want an argument? Move on bro.
Old Bugger
Guest
Slow starters G......it wasn't the first time and it certainly, won't be the last. What's yours for the losses in B2 and B3...???
Loosey
Roar Rookie
It’ll be for longer than one day I suggest.