All Blacks want answers on referee calls in Rugby World Cup final loss to Springboks
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AUCKLAND – New Zealand have asked global governing body World Rugby to explain some of the officiating during their Rugby World Cup final defeat by South Africa, outgoing coach Ian Foster said.
The Springboks’ 12-11 victory
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi was yellow-carded five minutes into the second half for what appeared to be a similar shoulder-to-head collision with Ardie Savea.
New Zealand were also confounded when an Aaron Smith try was cancelled by the Television Match Official for a knock-on on the other side of the pitch.
“We’ve sent a number of – we’ve already sent a file into World Rugby for them to make a few comments on,” Foster told New Zealand media with a wry smile. “Hopefully they do.”
The 58-year-old declined to comment on which areas of the game the All Blacks were specifically interested in. “Oh, I think you can guess,” he said.
The final was Foster’s last match as All Blacks coach, with Scott Robertson set to take over.
Having returned to New Zealand from France, one of his last duties will be a review of the All Blacks’ performance with his coaching staff, which the players will likely be spared from.
“It probably won’t be officially (with players). It certainly will be by me and my coaching group,” he said.
Across the Tasman, former Australia captain Andrew Slack will lead the external review of the two-time world champions’ dismal year and early World Cup exit.
A three-member panel, including former Wallaby Justin Harrison, who is chief executive officer of the rugby union players’ association, and industry expert Darlene Harrison, will examine why Australia unravelled so badly under Eddie Jones, who quit last week. Their findings are due by the end of 2023.
Jones, sacked by England before he was appointed Australia coach in January, led the Wallabies to just two wins in nine Tests, culminating in their exit from the World Cup at the group stage.
While he insists he has no regrets about his Australia tenure, he also believes England have failed to make any progress since he left, despite finishing third in France.
The 63-year-old, who will coach the Barbarians alongside Robertson in a match against Wales on Saturday, took England to three Six Nations titles and the 2019 World Cup final.
“I had a good run with England, seven years, the highest winning percentage (for a coach). It was probably time to change, the RFU (Rugby Football Union) decided it was, so be it,” he told The Telegraph.
“But the interesting thing is the team hasn’t improved. We made a final in 2019 and got beat in a semi-final in 2023.
“For me, if I have a fault about my coaching, and like everyone you do, I always want a team that can win the World Cup. I’m not interested in a team that can compete at a World Cup.” REUTERS
