Low expectations will help All Blacks win World Cup, says coach Ian Foster
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New Zealand's Dane Coles with his medal after winning the bronze final match against Wales at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
PHOTO: REUTERS
MELBOURNE – Few people think New Zealand can win a fourth World Cup in France, but that should help the All Blacks’ title hopes, coach Ian Foster said.
Foster’s side are coming off a difficult season, having lost a first home series to Ireland and suffered a first defeat by Argentina on home soil in 2022.
That has tested home fans’ faith in their World Cup hopes, though bookmakers rate the All Blacks second behind hosts France to win the Sept 8-Oct 28 tournament.
Asked by New Zealand media whether his team could win a record fourth World Cup, Foster said: “Absolutely.
“The good thing is not too many other people think we can.
“That’s a slightly unusual space to be in as All Blacks. It doesn’t change our belief.
“But belief is only one thing: You’ve got to put it to work.
“We’ve got a job to do, and can’t wait to start.”
Foster named a 36-man squad on Sunday for the abridged Rugby Championship which starts on July 8, with the All Blacks to face Argentina in Mendoza.
Defending champions New Zealand have not won the Southern Hemisphere competition in a World Cup year since 2007.
The tournament was then known as the Tri-Nations and Argentina had yet to join.
However, New Zealand ended up winning back-to-back World Cups in 2011 and 2015 to add to their 1987 triumph, so the lead-up Rugby Championship has not proved a reliable form guide for the global showpiece.
“Last year we had a bit of adversity, we got tight, and we’re actually craving as many big games as we can get at the moment,” said Foster.
“We want to go in fully loaded to this Rugby Championship.
“I think it’s important for us to get back up to speed really quickly, and get our game right.”
Foster included five uncapped players in his squad while a host of seasoned All Blacks sidelined by injuries, including flanker Ethan Blackadder, centre David Havili and prop George Bower.
He will hope for no further casualties when the Waikato Chiefs meet defending champions Canterbury Crusaders in an all-New Zealand Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday.
The All Blacks are drawn with France, Italy, Uruguay and Namibia in Pool A at the World Cup.
Foster said his squad had ample experience to win a World Cup but the new faces would help freshen up their “formula”.
“The good thing is we haven’t gone out looking to bring in a lot of new players – they’ve banged on the door,” he added. REUTERS
