Bledisloe Cup: shots: Wallabies boss takes aim at All Blacks

The pre-Bledisloe Cup war continues and Australia continues to shoot at All Black coach Ian Foster ahead of today’s clash.

Rugby Australia president Hamish McLennan has ranked the Wallabies’ Kiwi coach Dave Rennie above his All Black counterpart Ian Foster and says his friends in New Zealand feel the same way.

This comes days after notorious Sydney radio host Alan Jones, one of Australia’s most famous coaches, predicted that New Zealand audiences could quickly turn against Foster, who he said was an unpopular choice.

McLennan put an end to the pressure on Foster, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that “many of my Kiwi teammates agree that we have the best coach.”

“When I look at the coaches, I think we have the best,” he said.

“I’m really impressed with Dave. He has established the team and I think we have the right balance.

“There is quite a stir in Australia about the event … but there is no question that we are huge losers against a formidable All Blacks team. This is the first step in a three-year journey.”

Rennie and Foster are former Chiefs coaches. Rennie, the man who broke the Chiefs’ title drought, said he’d like to have a beer with Foster after the second test in Auckland.

Both men will take over their sides for the first time at today’s Wellington test, although Foster was a long-time assistant to the All Blacks.

Foster’s image was greatly affected by the All Blacks World Cup collapse against England. Rennie was eliminated from the All Black race, fulfilling his commitment to Australia.

McLennan, who was not in charge when Rugby Australia signed the Kiwi, is already promoting Rennie as a long-term coach, beyond the upcoming World Cup.