Foster looks to repair damage and move on

By WYNNE GRAY

Questions always arise when NPC sides under pressure alter their tactics, as Waikato did with disastrous consequences at the weekend, and coach Ian Foster accepts it.

That questioning was a natural consequence of many matches which did not go to plan, he said. But it was not any cause for a witch-hunt or to point the finger at individuals in public about some decisions.

Players had to be given enough licence so they felt comfortable during a match, said Foster.

The trick was to give them enough messages to offer them choices.

Foster used to respond that way to instructions during his record playing tenure with Waikato and he did not deviate from that as coach on Saturday when his team unravelled during their 35-20 loss to Otago.

His focus, and that of his squad, was about repairing that damage and moving on for this week's match against old foes Auckland at Hamilton.

Foster has already reviewed the loss to Otago three times and made a cluster of notes about what needed to be fixed and how to deal with the Auckland threat.

"It has surprised me, perhaps, that they haven't drawn the attention with their wins. I kind of felt Auckland, with Otago, have been quietly doing the job and building their performances."

While Foster and his crew were doing their analysis, it was much the same for Auckland, although they put their squad through some speed and endurance work.

They were also combing through a defeat, against defending champions Canterbury last Friday.

"We closed the gap on them, which was fine, but the bottom line was we did not win and that is what we are after in this game," said coach Wayne Pivac.

"Our attitude and aggression were up there but we have got to be a bit smarter. We had a lot of possession but did not get the result we wanted.

"Waikato have a good run to the semis. They will be in the last four, they will be the team to catch, so this is another big week."

While Auckland never had the lead against Canterbury, Waikato moved in front of Otago after halftime.

Even Foster felt his side were in control and had soaked up most of Otago's threat. But they lost composure and slowed the game down too much.

"Instead of going up a notch, we went to riskfree rugby, which has not been our way this year," he said.

"If we had persevered with how we had been playing, we would have done better."

That was an observation, said Foster, rather than a criticism of his players. Every match was much easier to judge once it was over.

For this week, Waikato had few injury doubts, he said. Fullbacks Loki Crichton (shoulder) and Todd Miller (finger tendon) were a little tender, as was prop David Briggs with his foot injury.

Foster said he did not operate a rotation policy. If he thought someone in his squad was in form and deserved a chance he would be chosen.

That explained Scott Couch being picked ahead of All Black flanker Marty Holah against Otago.

"Just because someone is in the squad does not mean they will get games."