Surf Lifesaving: Foster bolts back into surf

Morgan Foster (left) will join old foe and current world flags champion Paul Cracroft-Wilson. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

As far as comeback stories go, veteran Morgan Foster has one to be proud of.

The triple world beach flags champion Foster, who missed selection for the 2007 International Surf Challenge and the last two World Championships, has bolted back into the New Zealand surf lifesaving team for the first time in five years.

Foster, who is originally from Christchurch, competed professionally in Japan and now works as a firefighter in Hamilton, maintained his standards and continued to win national titles.

The evergreen veteran, who recently turned 35, won world titles in 2002, 2004 and 2006, and is excited about being back in international competition.

"It's fantastic and it's what I have been working hard for, for a long time," said Foster.

"I was always confident that I would be back - it wasn't like I was performing badly - I was still winning national titles it just came down to the selectors and who they liked.

"I am rapt to have another chance."

Foster believes at 35 he is better prepared than ever to contribute to the New Zealand team and is looking for a fast start to upset Australia.

"It's important for us to hit them hard first up and establish a lead," said Foster.

"They are pretty capable and confident but that can change if we put them under pressure.

"I am good mates with the Aussie boys but when the test is on I want to smash them."

Foster will link with current world flags champion Paul Cracroft-Wilson with New Zealand coach Scott Bartlett explaining the duo will share duties for the three-test series.

"We have a plan to rotate those two around so we can get some real dominance in the beach relays," Bartlett said.

Morgan has won a record nine New Zealand beach flags titles.

He's still searching for his 10th, with Cracroft-Wilson having won the last four

"They'll be very valuable - the beauty of those two is that you could chuck either of them in the flags and they'll both destroy it.

"It's one of the rare areas we have that luxury. Morgan is the ultimate team man.

"He has the bit between his teeth and he gets everyone geed up to get stuck in."

Foster, who was part of a winning New Zealand team 11 years ago in Hawaii, knows a win over Australia on home sand, to follow the World Championship win at home in 1998, will have a lasting effect.

"When we beat them, geez, they didn't like it and that was a great feeling.

"If we win the kids that come out to watch will grow up knowing that you can knock Australia off if you go hard at them."