5 December, 2025, 10:10 pm Central - 24°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
Attorney General must work closely with the GCC on reform of native land laws - President
The principle of free, prior, informed consent or the requirement for effective consultations is crucial to the reform of our laws on native land and ...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Deaf respondents were among the most affected by online abuse during COVID-19 survey
Findings from the Fiji Disabled People’s Federation and the Disability Rights Fund survey show that during COVID-19, 24 percent of respondents ...
4 hours ago

$140,000 renovation project of Empower Pacific Counselling Centre aims to provide improved services
A $140,000 renovation project, funded through a donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has seen the soft-launch of the Empower ...
5 hours ago

People's Fiji and Next Gen Alliance Party applications released for public objection
The Fijian Elections Office has confirmed the publication of applications from two proposed political parties. Speaking to the media, Supervisor ...
5 hours ago

Tourism Fiji strengthens its engagement with operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
A platform for open discussion on opportunities, constraints, and pathways to improve tourism outcomes in Vanua Levu and Taveuni was the main focus ...
6 hours ago

Vou makes history as first Fijians to headline major NZ Arts Festival
A proud moment for Fiji’s creative industry is on the horizon, as Vou Dance Company prepares to make history on two of New Zealand’s major arts ...
7 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
12 hours ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
12 hours ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
1 day ago

TOP