Critics around the world may be wringing their hands in dismay at the scheduling snafu that pits the All Blacks up against the Black Ferns in similar time slots on Saturday night, but Ian Foster and his men have declared their support for their wahine equivalents.
Though the All Blacks may be set to take some eyeballs off the Black Ferns for their World Cup quarterfinal against Wales on Saturday night, head coach Foster has sent out his best wishes for Wayne Smith’s side from Tokyo ahead of their Saturday test against Japan to open their northern tour.
In a bureaucratic bungle, being dubbed the “Black clash”, New Zealand Rugby allowed the All Blacks’ test against Japan on Saturday in Tokyo to take place with a kickoff of 6.50pm (NZ time), just 40 minutes before the Ferns run out against Wales for a spot in the World Cup semifinals.
NZ Rugby has been clobbered by critics from New Zealand and around the globe since acknowledging it was a mistake to allow the near clash to take place, with UK news outlets such as The Times, the Independent and the Daily Telegraph reporting on the controversy, joining the likes of ex-Black Fern Louisa Wall and Justice Minister Kiri Allan in highlighting the organisation’s clumsy handling of the issue.
But Foster has notably ignored the mixup, and concentrated on the positives as he delivered a “good luck” message for the Ferns from Tokyo.
“Just from us in the All Blacks, a big good luck to the Black Ferns,” said Foster in a video filmed by the All Blacks. “It’s an awesome opportunity, the quarterfinals, and we are right behind them and can’t wait to see them perform on that New Zealand stage and do really well.
“So, we are thinking of you ladies, and all the best.”
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
The Black Ferns and All Blacks huddle together ahead of their double-header outing at Eden Park in September.
Foster’s All Blacks kick off their northern tour against Japan, before heading to the UK to take on Wales, Scotland and England over consecutive weekends.
Foster has named a mixed lineup for the test, featuring some regular starters and a number of little-used squad members whom he is eager to see in action. League convert Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and his Blues team-mate Stephen Perofeta will make their first test starts, at second five and fullback respectively, in the match.
The All Blacks will be led by regular skipper Sam Cane at openside, alongside usual 2022 starters Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Shannon Frizell and Brodie Retallick, while experienced All Blacks Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, George Bower and Sevu Reece also feature in the run-on XV.
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