Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
12 March, 2026, 11:18 pm
Central - 25°C Clouds
12 March, 2026, 11:18 pm Central - 25°C Clouds

Pumas defenders using dark arts at the bottom of rucks - Foster

Pumas defenders using dark arts at the bottom of rucks - Foster

By Alipate Narawa
28/08/2022

All Blacks Coach Ian Foster, felt Georgian referee Nika Amashukeli should have taken a closer look at the dark arts Pumas defenders were utilising at the bottom of rucks.

Foster says they were really struggling to recycle the ball quickly. 

He says from his perspective, they were extremely frustrated with tacklers not getting out of the way and giving them access, and not releasing the ball carrier on the ground.

Foster says that is an area they are going to have to look at closely, because it was an area they got hammered in the penalty breakdown at critical times.

All Blacks captain Sam Cane echoed Foster, believing it was clearly a tactic the Pumas came armed with.

Michael Cheika, who has a history of making accusations against the All Blacks from his time in charge of the Wallabies, did not exactly deny his players did it.

Cheika says he felt the teams were even at the ruck, and Amashukeli, controlling the biggest test of his career, handled himself well.

He says he thought New Zealand were OK at the ruck, they recycled a lot of ball quickly.

Cheika says he thought the ruck work across the whole game was quite good, because there was not a lot of actual opportunities to get on to the ball.

The All Blacks will host the Pumas in Waikato at 7.05pm next Saturday while the Wallabies will take on South Africa in Sydney at 9.35pm.

Source: Stuff.co

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
East Wing lift at CWM Hospital repaired; Lancaster and Children’s ward lifts expected by month-end
There is some relief as the essential lift in the East Wing of the CWM Hospital which is used to take patients to the operating theatres, the Intensi...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
East Wing lift at CWM Hospital repaired; Lancaster and Children’s ward lifts expected by month-end
There is some relief as the essential lift in the East Wing of the CWM Hospital which is used to take patients to the operating theatres, the ...
2 hours ago

I do not need to meet former FNU Council Chair Semesa Karavaki - Rabuka
I do not need to meet with former FNU Council Chair Semesa Karavaki because everything has moved on from where we were when he wanted to meet.This ...
5 hours ago

Govt targets 50% reduction in travel time on major corridors - Tuinaceva
Traffic conditions are expected to improve along the Suva–Nausori, Lami–Suva and Nadi–Lautoka corridor, with plans underway to reduce travel ...
6 hours ago

Decision to appeal Malimali ruling was mine - Rabuka
Prime Minister says he as "Sitiveni Rabuka" decided to appeal the ruling by High Court Judge Dane Tuiqereqere that found the dismissal of Barbara ...
7 hours ago

Fiji could soon have 9,000 people living with HIV - Ravunawa
Assistant Minister for Health Penioni Ravunawa revealed that Fiji is currently facing a HIV pandemic, and if current trends continue, projections ...
7 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Sports Council Saga: Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
6 days ago

National Talanoa Session on Illicit Drugs in Fiji: 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025
The illicit drug situation in Fiji has been described as a national emergency, with 2,400 drug-related cases recorded in 2025. Minister for Policing ...
13 days ago

Charlie Charters held at Nadi Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file
Fijian national, Charlie Charters is being held at immigration at Nadi International Airport because of a FICAC flag on his file.fijivillage News has ...
14 days ago

TOP