Foster said not only had his team emerged from a severe test after their 28-24 victory against Ireland, but he was also proud that they had done so with one player off the pitch for much of the game.
PARIS - New Zealand head coach Ian Foster said the 28-24 victory in Saturday's World Cup quarter-final against an Ireland team who had been heavily tipped for victory, was one of his "sweetest victories".
But the New Zealanders roared into a 13-0 lead and though Ireland hit back again and again, the three-time World Cup winners kept their noses in front and showed their pedigree to reach the semi-finals. "At the end of the day, we played a lot of that game with 14 players. And we looked in control of it and it felt good."All Blacks captain Sam Cane said that contrary to reports of a turbulent buildup to the game, with the outstanding wing Mark Telea dropped for breaching team protocols, "we had an awesome week's prep".That assured approach had helped his team repel a draining closing phase when a desperate Ireland threw everything at their opponents.
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