Ian Foster, the former head coach of the All Blacks, has opened up about the lingering impact of losing the Rugby World Cup final to the Springboks. The 12-11 defeat in Paris continues to haunt Foster, who believes his team was unfairly denied a late penalty that could have changed the outcome of the game.
Despite the belief among All Blacks fans that their team was robbed of a victory, Foster acknowledges certain controllable factors that could have made a difference. He pointed out instances like a Jordie Barrett chip in the first half that didn’t bounce favorably for Ardie Savea, and missed goal-kicks in the crucial last 20 minutes of the match.
Foster particularly highlighted a moment near the end of the game where he believes a penalty should have been awarded to the All Blacks, providing them with an opportunity to secure victory. He mentioned Kwagga Smith’s actions at the breakdown, emphasizing that the officials overlooked a clear infringement.
Expressing his lack of regrets regarding his tactics, Foster admitted that the World Cup final loss still disturbs his sleep. Despite reflecting on missed opportunities and perceived injustices, he specifically noted that he occasionally wakes up at night, contemplating how they could have secured the two additional points needed for victory.
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