All Blacks show their class after Springboks win
Despite the win over the Springboks last Saturday at Ellis Park, there is still a cloud hanging over the head of All Blacks head coach Ian Foster. But some of his senior players have shown their class in the wake of the victory by backing Foster.
New Zealand went into the second round of the Rugby Championship on the back of their biggest loss to the Springboks in 94 years the week before at the Mbombela Stadium, and had only won one of their last six matches. They were tipped to lose heavily again, but pulled off a historic 35-23 win, helping relieve some pressure on Foster.
Since the victory, Ardie Savea and Aaron Smith have both shown their support for Foster on social media. Each player has shared a photo of themselves with their coach on social media, with Smith writing “that’s my coach.” Savea and Smith are two of the senior figures in the team and both had standout games at Ellis Park, particularly Savea, who maintained the elite level he has shown all year.
The No8 also showed his support for Foster after the match.
“It was for all of us, but for me personally that is for my coach,” Savea said.
“I back him 100 per cent side-by-side. He’s been under a lot of pressure but I know Foz doesn’t want to make it about himself.
“I just want everyone to know we got his back, all the players have got his back. He’s a great coach, got great coaches beside him so we back him 100 per cent.
“I hope everyone that listens, that reads this, back us, because we gone get it.”
These were their posts:
That’s my coach 🖤 pic.twitter.com/c4hOr51q8b
— Aaron Smith (@Te_Nug) August 14, 2022
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