VIDEO: Why Foster 'loves' the Boks' seven-one bench split
New Zealand coach Ian Foster said South Africa’s decision to pick seven forwards on an eight-man replacement bench will make Saturday’s World Cup Final face-off between the two countries ‘interesting’.
Foster made just one change to the All Black starting XV to face the Springboks in the global showpiece at Stade de France.
Brodie Retallick replaced Sam Whitelock in the second row.
There was one additional change – with tighthead prop Nepo Laulala having replaced Fletcher Newell om a bench of five forwards and three backs.
That is in stark contrast to the Boks, who named a forward-heavy bench – with veteran Willie le Roux the only back among the eight replacements.
“That’s what I love about the game,” Foster told a media briefing on Thursday.
“People play different ways, try different tactics.
“They’ve got their way of playing that they think suits their strengths.
“We’ve got ours.
“It doesn’t change the way we prepare – to be frank.
“We are preparing for our game the way we want to play it.
“Our strategy suits us.
“Their strategy suits them.
“It makes it interesting on Saturday.”
(WATCH as All Blacks coach Ian Foster talks about the Springboks’ seven-one split on the bench and the impact it may have on the World Cup Final face-off between the two teams…)
He said the make-up of the All Blacks bench is, in part, a response to South Africa’s replacements.
“It is certainly a response,” the All Blacks coach said.
“[It is] not so much a response to the power [of the Bok bench], but the techniques we feel we will have to deal with.
“Nepo [Laulala] is a very strong scrummager, very experienced.
“He has trained so well and he’s disappointed not to have played the last two [Tests].
“However, with the likes of Samisoni [Taukei’aho] and Sam Whitelock on the bench, we’ve got a lot of confidence in that group coming on.”
Whitelock, the most capped All Black, is named on the bench for his 153rd Test appearance and will become the first player to make three World Cup deciders.
He is also one of six World Cup winners in the match day 23.
There is one additional personnel change to the reserves bench with tighthead prop Nepo Laulala replacing Fletcher Newell.
“It is an honour to fly our nation’s flag in the World Cup final once again,” said Foster, with the All Blacks having won the World Cup in 1987, 2011 and 2015.
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far in this tournament, but the job is not done yet and we know full well the challenge that lies ahead.
“Of the seven World Cups that have been held outside of New Zealand, the All Blacks have only managed to win one. It goes to show just how hard it is to do but this group is determined to work hard for each other, as we have done all year.”
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