Why Eddie Jones ‘felt’ for All Blacks coach Ian Foster

The Wallabies and All Blacks are modern-day gladiators, and the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the next instalment of their fiery rivalry on Saturday night.

Australian coach Eddie Jones couldn’t have summed up the sporting relationship between the neighbouring nations any better, saying both rugby teams “have got good respect for each other.”

But they also “dislike each other” on the field.

The sporting rivalry between Australia and New Zealand is practically unrivalled in the southern hemisphere, and any contest is sure to create headlines.

Jones, who has beaten the All Blacks five times throughout his legendary coaching career, said the New Zealand “economy is going to suffer” if the visitors lose Bledisloe I on Saturday.

It’s about more than sport when Australia play New Zealand.

But once the full-time whistle sounds, and away from the watchful eyes of fans, media and others within the rugby community, the Wallabies and All Blacks are just like anyone else.

Coach Jones doesn’t “mind having a glass of red” with his All Blacks counterpart Ian Foster. There’s plenty of admiration and respect between the two teams.

Jones had been hyping up this weekend’s rugby war between the Wallabies and All Blacks for about 13 minutes when he was asked to open up on his relationship with Foster at a press conference on Thursday.

New Zealand Rugby revealed Foster’s successor in the All Blacks’ hot seat earlier this year, with champion Crusaders coach Scott Robertson to take over as head coach from 2024.

Without a moment of hesitation, Jones spoke about why he “felt for” Foster ahead of “the ultimate Test” at the ‘G.’

“He had a board that reacted to media pressure (with the) appointment of a coaching job,” Jones told reporters. “He could go on and produce one of the greatest All Black teams and then his fate is already sealed.

“I think that’s why we’ve seen a different approach from New Zealand this year. Normally in a World Cup year, they’re very measured in their buildup, they want to peak at the World Cup, but I think because of the situation maybe they’ve taken a different approach.

“I’ve never seen a New Zealand team come out in The Rugby Championship ready to go straight away. We’ve seen that in the first two games. Probably the first two 40 minutes has been some of the best rugby we’ve seen for a while.

“Maybe that’s got to do with the coaching appointment because I know the players value him greatly as a coach, and we all know he’s a good rugby man.

“They’re playing with a lot of passion and a lot of drive and a lot of direction. For us it’s the ultimate Test.”

The Wallabies take on the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday evening in the first of two Bledisloe Cup Test matches.