Fijivillage
NEWS SPORTS IN DEPTH
13 May, 2026, 11:00 am
Central - 27°C Rain
IN DEPTH
13 May, 2026, 11:00 am Central - 27°C Rain

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
Increasing drug use among youths could affect Fiji’s future workforce – Dr Singh
Acting Medical Superintendent of Saint Giles Hospital, Doctor Sheetal Singh has highlighted concerns about increasing drug use among youths, warning t...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
Girmitiyas’ sacrifices should be remembered and shared with future generations - Charan Jeath Singh
The sacrifices and resilience of indentured labourers must continue to be remembered and shared with future generations.Minister for Multi-Ethnic ...
39 minutes ago

Working mother dedicates her degree to her children
Bhavishna Lata, who graduated with a Bachelor’s in Primary School Education from Fiji National University has dedicated her achievement to her two ...
47 minutes ago

Madigibuli judgement moved to 26th May
Suva High Court Judge Justice Dane Tuiqereqere will give his judgement on 26th May on whether Apisai Madigibuli murdered his 25-year-old wife in ...
2 hours ago

Garbage truck that overturned near Samabula has been cleared this morning
A garbage truck that overturned near the Samabula traffic lights, close to Fiji National University, has been cleared. According to Samabula Police, ...
3 hours ago

Hot Bread Kitchen returns to Yatu Lau Arcade
The Hot Bread Kitchen has officially reopened its Suva Market outlet at the historic Yatu Lau Arcade following months of renovations, marking ...
17 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Coca-Cola Games 2026 Coverage
I could not contain my emotions when we won today because its been 33 years we have been trying to win the Coca-Cola Games and I'm really proud of ...
9 days ago

Seaqaqa and Labasa cane farmers fear for livelihood due non-renewal of leases
While hundreds of leases have been renewed, non-renewals and subdivision of cane land for residential use in Seaqaqa are leaving many farming ...
14 days ago

Citizens to oppose proposed TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda
Serious concerns are being raised regarding a proposed Australian company's TNG Waste-to-Energy incinerator in Saweni, Vuda, and a group of concerned ...
15 days ago

TOP