July 9, 2025 • 9 mins
Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster is playing a key role in the Lions tour over the ditch.
He's helping Les Kiss coach the Australia-NZ invitational team that's set to face the Lions at Adelaide Oval.
He spoke to Elliott Smith on Sportstalk.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Let's Talk Rugby on Sports Talk this evening. Ian Foster
has joined Lea's Kisses coaching staff for the Australian New
Zealand Invitational side. They play the British and Irish Lions
on Saturday night and Adelaide just after the second Test
between the All Blacks and France. They only got into
camp a few days ago. Igan Foster joins us now
(00:34):
out of Adelaide. Ian, thanks so much for your time
once again on news talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
My pleasure.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Well, how's it been in camp wearing the green and
gold and the black and white?
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Yeah, well it's we have we have chuckled about the
ratio of green and golder black, but it's we've had
a lot of fun connecting as a group and the
players have done an awesome job and agetting to know
each other and obviously it was a bit of a
blend of the two countries here, but even excited about
(01:07):
the challenge and obviously play the chance to play the
lines is pretty cool and plus I guess for the
Wallaby players is you know, with Lee's kiss coaching, there's
a chance to impress the next not Wallaby's coach too,
so there's a pretty at stake.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
How do you blend that all in in the space
of a week or thereabouts before you play on Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah, look, we can't do we can't do too much,
can we.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
But it's a matter of giving a nice organizational structure
around the or field and the on field stuff and
then letting them throw the dots really and and.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Add the flavor as they see fit.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
So that they've been great talking to each other and
figuring a few things out to how they how we
want to play, and you know, particularly the likes of
David Avery has been awesome in terms of leading those
sort of areas and helping design things that we want
to do on the park, and and then just letting
(02:03):
the group sort of, I guess, as a closer to
the Lions game, just sort of feel a little bit
of the occasion and hopefully that tightens us up just nicely.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Do you lean on that and Zac culture, the history
of the two nations and what they've done before.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Yeah, I think, you know, we've certainly touched on it,
and again you've got to do that a little bit organically.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Otherwise it gets a bit forced. But you know, I think.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
We've talked about the obviously the history and the legacy
of the British Lions is obvious. But you know, the
Aussie and New Zealand and Vitational team I guess last
played in eighty nine or something. But before that, these
two countries have done a lot together and in reality,
is it's a it's a combined team planner combined team,
(02:53):
isn't it? Because the British Lions are in the same boat.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
How good to see some of those players that you've
coached previously back in camp and work with them again.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Yeah, it's great.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
It's great to see some people again and it's so
really really enjoying that. And but he equally really excited
about working with some of the Australian players because it's
you know, players that sort of coached against a number
of them for a while and then certainly he watched
them and it's always a cool experience for a coach
(03:26):
when you actually get to shake their hand and start
working with them and hear a few things about how
they see the game and how they see.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
The world, and it just opens your eyes up a
little bit.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Have you had much to do with Les Kiss to
this point previous legan and what's your impressions of how
he's brought the squad together and how he might go
as an international coach and we will.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Yeah, really impressed with him. He's got a great way
about him. He's he's empowering the players. He's done a
good job with his group. He's got people he's working
with in the Reds with Zaan who's here, and a
number of his analysts and other stuff. He's also got
Simon Cron who's the Western Force, and that.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
They're a great group.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
They are pretty clear about how they go about their
work and it's been nice to be a little bit
of the fly in the ointment at times.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yeah, you pushing back on things or just adding a
little bits and so that the makes out does that work?
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Well, it's been pretty collaborative. You know, we've all just
sat in the room and we've each got our own
little areas. But he's you know, we're all just trying
to work with each other to test what we do
and also to test to make sure we don't go
too far in our.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Areas and clut other players.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
But there's been some great vendor and as a sole
keying and agreep, I feel picked on and manipulated, but
rest assured I'm given a bit back.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
So we're having a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
What have been your impressions of the British and Irish
Lions to this point on their tour.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Yeah, look, it's a strong team. We know that they've
got great depth. At the moment, they will be disappointed,
I guess with the with their start against Argentina, but
they've come here and put two or three pretty good
performances on you know, I thought the Warortas particularly really
(05:16):
up the ante on them physically and we saw a
difference sort of game in that one intrigued with the
Brumbies you know, Wednesday night and see how they go
with them. But you know, we're we're pretty clear that
if we if we want to go out there and
play a festival game in a in a barbarians type
style against the team that's got higher high connection, high
(05:39):
cohesion in their game, there will be a long night.
So we've just got to make sure we get you know,
we treat this with this occasion with with that balance
of of making sure that our structure and our concentration
on the physical side of the game has to be
high for us to be competitive.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Here's jose with asked you to guess trial anything or
put the lines under sunity areas appreciated and expect you
to tell me. But whether he has or.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Not, No, No, I think yeah, we've I mean, I've
had a couple of calls with with Joe. I'm sure
Leave has too, and we're just keeping an eye on
some players and and looking at that. But no, there's
not a sort of a sort of a master plan
of different strategies in different games to test different areas.
But you know, I think I think for us, we
(06:28):
know it's a week out from the first test, so
they they'll be looking to fine tune and get some
things ready, and our job is to make sure. I
guess we saw some doubt on those plans from a
wallaby's perspective, so that's that's kind of what we'll be
focusing on.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
How have you enjoyed getting your hands into sort of
international footy again after a season with Japan, a season
in Japan, It's been great.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
You know, it's it's you know, it's a you're playing
with a group of players bringing them together in short
periods or I get excited by that. It's and and
you know, I think as we get closer to the game,
I mean there's not a massive degree of build up
here in Adelaidia's yet.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
It's obviously a town or city that's high in af
L primarily.
Speaker 4 (07:18):
But you know, hopefully by the end of the week,
when all the Lions supporters come and you get to
feel what it's like to be part of a major tour,
I think that's that little bit of excitement will come
pretty high on Friday night Saturday.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
And as you bring together players from you know, New Zealand,
australiagether and playing in Japan. I think Pete Sumi might
have comed of France as well. You know, international refereeing
is a little bit different, as we've seen too, perhaps
the Super rugby level refereeing maybe in Japan as well.
How do you get the team prepared for that? Do
you have to do anything in that regard?
Speaker 3 (07:53):
It's a good question. We've got to be aware. We've
certainly you can.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
It's pretty clear even the change and focuses of the
games and the last weekend, isn't it both with the
all that game, and with the Lions game, we know
that there's that refs are under some pretty strict control
from World Rugby about what their focuses are and we're
just got to be aware of those and make sure
(08:17):
we're smart enough to adapt. But there's always a learning
curve and I guess that that is a challenge for
us because the Lines are sort of, what's that, three
or four or five games into their program and so
they would have probably acclimatized the interpretations pretty quickly.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
And Ian Foster final question. I mean the Gap team
hasn't played a game yet, but would you like to
see this tradition continue? Lines two are twenty nine to
New Zealand. You know when they visit this part of
the world that there should be a regular fixture with
the Lines are touring Australia or New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Yeah, well I've thought about that and I actually reckon
you know that there is scope for that, you know,
we and if you think about it, that's what the
British Lines is. It's sort of an esteemed team from
four countries and it's a it's not a regular thing,
but one where you create a special environment. And I
(09:08):
think rugby loves special environments and special occasions, and so
maybe down the track there is room for something like
this to be added into a calendar, and it's you know,
a combined Southern Hemisphere team versus a combined Northern Hemisphere
team would be quite an interesting battle, certainly would be.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
We're looking forward to this weekend first and foremost, plenty
of interest back home here, Ian Foster, thanks so much
of your time as always on News Talk ZBB.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
Thanks very much and go the All Blacks.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
For more from sports talk, listen live to News talks
'B from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on
iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Sports Talk podcast with Dancy Waldegrave
from News Talks EDB.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Let's Talk Rugby on Sports Talk this evening. Ian Foster
has joined Lea's Kisses coaching staff for the Australian New
Zealand Invitational side. They play the British and Irish Lions
on Saturday night and Adelaide just after the second Test
between the All Blacks and France. They only got into
camp a few days ago. Igan Foster joins us now
(00:34):
out of Adelaide. Ian, thanks so much for your time
once again on news talks EDB.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
My pleasure.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Well, how's it been in camp wearing the green and
gold and the black and white?
Speaker 4 (00:45):
Yeah, well it's we have we have chuckled about the
ratio of green and golder black, but it's we've had
a lot of fun connecting as a group and the
players have done an awesome job and agetting to know
each other and obviously it was a bit of a
blend of the two countries here, but even excited about
(01:07):
the challenge and obviously play the chance to play the
lines is pretty cool and plus I guess for the
Wallaby players is you know, with Lee's kiss coaching, there's
a chance to impress the next not Wallaby's coach too,
so there's a pretty at stake.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
How do you blend that all in in the space
of a week or thereabouts before you play on Saturday night.
Speaker 3 (01:27):
Yeah, look, we can't do we can't do too much,
can we.
Speaker 4 (01:31):
But it's a matter of giving a nice organizational structure
around the or field and the on field stuff and
then letting them throw the dots really and and.
Speaker 3 (01:41):
Add the flavor as they see fit.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
So that they've been great talking to each other and
figuring a few things out to how they how we
want to play, and you know, particularly the likes of
David Avery has been awesome in terms of leading those
sort of areas and helping design things that we want
to do on the park, and and then just letting
(02:03):
the group sort of, I guess, as a closer to
the Lions game, just sort of feel a little bit
of the occasion and hopefully that tightens us up just nicely.
Speaker 2 (02:13):
Do you lean on that and Zac culture, the history
of the two nations and what they've done before.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
Yeah, I think, you know, we've certainly touched on it,
and again you've got to do that a little bit organically.
Speaker 3 (02:26):
Otherwise it gets a bit forced. But you know, I think.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
We've talked about the obviously the history and the legacy
of the British Lions is obvious. But you know, the
Aussie and New Zealand and Vitational team I guess last
played in eighty nine or something. But before that, these
two countries have done a lot together and in reality,
is it's a it's a combined team planner combined team,
(02:53):
isn't it? Because the British Lions are in the same boat.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
How good to see some of those players that you've
coached previously back in camp and work with them again.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
Yeah, it's great.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
It's great to see some people again and it's so
really really enjoying that. And but he equally really excited
about working with some of the Australian players because it's
you know, players that sort of coached against a number
of them for a while and then certainly he watched
them and it's always a cool experience for a coach
(03:26):
when you actually get to shake their hand and start
working with them and hear a few things about how
they see the game and how they see.
Speaker 3 (03:32):
The world, and it just opens your eyes up a
little bit.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
Have you had much to do with Les Kiss to
this point previous legan and what's your impressions of how
he's brought the squad together and how he might go
as an international coach and we will.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
Yeah, really impressed with him. He's got a great way
about him. He's he's empowering the players. He's done a
good job with his group. He's got people he's working
with in the Reds with Zaan who's here, and a
number of his analysts and other stuff. He's also got
Simon Cron who's the Western Force, and that.
Speaker 3 (04:08):
They're a great group.
Speaker 4 (04:09):
They are pretty clear about how they go about their
work and it's been nice to be a little bit
of the fly in the ointment at times.
Speaker 2 (04:16):
Yeah, you pushing back on things or just adding a
little bits and so that the makes out does that work?
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Well, it's been pretty collaborative. You know, we've all just
sat in the room and we've each got our own
little areas. But he's you know, we're all just trying
to work with each other to test what we do
and also to test to make sure we don't go
too far in our.
Speaker 3 (04:36):
Areas and clut other players.
Speaker 4 (04:38):
But there's been some great vendor and as a sole
keying and agreep, I feel picked on and manipulated, but
rest assured I'm given a bit back.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
So we're having a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
What have been your impressions of the British and Irish
Lions to this point on their tour.
Speaker 4 (04:56):
Yeah, look, it's a strong team. We know that they've
got great depth. At the moment, they will be disappointed,
I guess with the with their start against Argentina, but
they've come here and put two or three pretty good
performances on you know, I thought the Warortas particularly really
(05:16):
up the ante on them physically and we saw a
difference sort of game in that one intrigued with the
Brumbies you know, Wednesday night and see how they go
with them. But you know, we're we're pretty clear that
if we if we want to go out there and
play a festival game in a in a barbarians type
style against the team that's got higher high connection, high
(05:39):
cohesion in their game, there will be a long night.
So we've just got to make sure we get you know,
we treat this with this occasion with with that balance
of of making sure that our structure and our concentration
on the physical side of the game has to be
high for us to be competitive.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
Here's jose with asked you to guess trial anything or
put the lines under sunity areas appreciated and expect you
to tell me. But whether he has or.
Speaker 4 (06:04):
Not, No, No, I think yeah, we've I mean, I've
had a couple of calls with with Joe. I'm sure
Leave has too, and we're just keeping an eye on
some players and and looking at that. But no, there's
not a sort of a sort of a master plan
of different strategies in different games to test different areas.
But you know, I think I think for us, we
(06:28):
know it's a week out from the first test, so
they they'll be looking to fine tune and get some
things ready, and our job is to make sure. I
guess we saw some doubt on those plans from a
wallaby's perspective, so that's that's kind of what we'll be
focusing on.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
How have you enjoyed getting your hands into sort of
international footy again after a season with Japan, a season
in Japan, It's been great.
Speaker 4 (06:54):
You know, it's it's you know, it's a you're playing
with a group of players bringing them together in short
periods or I get excited by that. It's and and
you know, I think as we get closer to the game,
I mean there's not a massive degree of build up
here in Adelaidia's yet.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
It's obviously a town or city that's high in af
L primarily.
Speaker 4 (07:18):
But you know, hopefully by the end of the week,
when all the Lions supporters come and you get to
feel what it's like to be part of a major tour,
I think that's that little bit of excitement will come
pretty high on Friday night Saturday.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
And as you bring together players from you know, New Zealand,
australiagether and playing in Japan. I think Pete Sumi might
have comed of France as well. You know, international refereeing
is a little bit different, as we've seen too, perhaps
the Super rugby level refereeing maybe in Japan as well.
How do you get the team prepared for that? Do
you have to do anything in that regard?
Speaker 3 (07:53):
It's a good question. We've got to be aware. We've
certainly you can.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
It's pretty clear even the change and focuses of the
games and the last weekend, isn't it both with the
all that game, and with the Lions game, we know
that there's that refs are under some pretty strict control
from World Rugby about what their focuses are and we're
just got to be aware of those and make sure
(08:17):
we're smart enough to adapt. But there's always a learning
curve and I guess that that is a challenge for
us because the Lines are sort of, what's that, three
or four or five games into their program and so
they would have probably acclimatized the interpretations pretty quickly.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
And Ian Foster final question. I mean the Gap team
hasn't played a game yet, but would you like to
see this tradition continue? Lines two are twenty nine to
New Zealand. You know when they visit this part of
the world that there should be a regular fixture with
the Lines are touring Australia or New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Yeah, well I've thought about that and I actually reckon
you know that there is scope for that, you know,
we and if you think about it, that's what the
British Lines is. It's sort of an esteemed team from
four countries and it's a it's not a regular thing,
but one where you create a special environment. And I
(09:08):
think rugby loves special environments and special occasions, and so
maybe down the track there is room for something like
this to be added into a calendar, and it's you know,
a combined Southern Hemisphere team versus a combined Northern Hemisphere
team would be quite an interesting battle, certainly would be.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
We're looking forward to this weekend first and foremost, plenty
of interest back home here, Ian Foster, thanks so much
of your time as always on News Talk ZBB.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
Thanks very much and go the All Blacks.
Speaker 1 (09:38):
For more from sports talk, listen live to News talks
'B from seven pm weekdays, or follow the podcast on
iHeartRadio
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