All Blacks coach Ian Foster has backed Eddie Jones’ famous warning not to “look away” in the Bledisloe Cup opener at the MCG on July 29.
Wallabies boss Jones commented afterwards Saturday’s disastrous 34-31 loss to Los Pumas which ended Australia’s Rugby Championship hopes.
The Bledisloe, of course, still exists in the home and away league, but even the most die-hard Wallabies fans will struggle to maintain hope.
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Jones throws the headphones in disgust
Foster’s team in New Zealand resumed in 2023, blasting Argentina and South Africa in the first two groups Rising to the top of the standings is a difference of +44 points.
“As sad as it may seem at this point, it’s not,” Jones said.
“Batting in here (Wallabies camp) is a good hope that we can make a quick turnaround in the next few weeks. If I were the All Blacks, I’d be looking. Great, Something’s going to happen.
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“It could be Richie Mo’unga running, offloading, we jump, we try and the whole team will change. If that happens and the team changes, that’s all we’re away from.
“I know it’s very difficult, but that’s what happens to teams. It happens in life, something happens that changes the behavior of the team. Nothing, it’s not happening at the moment – but it will.”
Foster, who will replace Scott Robertson at the helm of the All Blacks next year, echoed his opponent’s sentiments.
The All Blacks won both Bledisloe tests last year but had a huge advantage at Marvel Stadium thanks to the intervention of referee Mathieu Raynal.
“He’s probably right,” Foster said when asked about Jones’ comments.
“We have to look because they will hurt. Nobody likes to lose their first test. They are a very proud nation, and I’m sure they are working hard to come to us strong. Let’s wait until we go to the MCG. We’re expecting a home crowd, almost. It’s a special moment. , and this game is good for us because it’s the experience we’ve been dreaming of.”
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Foster has many scars from locking horns with Jones.
He was assistant coach in 2019 when England knocked the All Blacks out of the Rugby World Cup while Jones was also in charge when New Zealand drew at Twickenham last year.
In an impassioned press conference after the Pumas, Jones compared the Wallabies’ innumerable problems to a “broken down car.”
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“My first car was a Datsun 1200. You can fix the handbrake and the next day the glass wheels break, and we’re like that,” Jones said.
“Maybe no one was more upset than me, maybe I destroyed three radios in the teacher’s box.”
Both teams are taking a week off and Foster’s only concern is a strained neck for All Blacks captain Sam Cane who is expected to recover in time for the first game.
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Like the Springboks, Foster admitted he “didn’t know” what to expect from the Wallabies under Jones, who is now 7-2 against Randwick opposite Michael Cheika.
“History tells us that you can’t write it off, that they have the ability to get around us and bite us. We have a lot of respect for their ability,” Foster said.
“I know they probably didn’t get the results they wanted, but sometimes when you’re working things out, it takes time to get it right. But I’m sure our win at the MCG will solve a lot of their issues. We know that.”
Ikitau hurts his shoulder in opening the Wallabies try
The Wallabies need to find a replacement for the injured Len Ikitau.
Samu Kerevi pushed to No.13 after the brave Ikitau left Parramatta, while Carter Gordon stepped in.
“It’s funny, for the Reds I play 13 games and I don’t like playing 12,” Kerevi told reporters.
“Coming up with the Wallabies, I hated it and Cheik was putting me there and obviously the Reds started putting me there.
“I’ll do whatever’s best for the team. But we’ve got some depth there. (Izaia) Perese has been playing well for the Waratahs. He’s training the floor, and other springs who can do the job.
“Obviously Lalakai (Foketi) can play there, change from 12 to 13.”
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