Ian Foster opens up on tough call to end popular All Black’s Rugby World Cup dream

All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has revealed that telling veteran Dane Coles that he will not be playing in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup Final against the Springboks had been one of his toughest decisions as a coach.

Coles has likely featured in his final match as a professional after announcing earlier this year that he will retire from playing after the global showpiece in France.

Popular member of All Blacks squad

The 36-year-old is a popular member of the All Blacks squad who started in the 2015 World Cup final that saw the All Blacks down the Wallabies to claim back-to-back titles for the first time ever.

He made 90 Test appearances since his international debut against Scotland in Edinburgh in 2012 and his last game for New Zealand was as the replacement hooker in their World Cup quarter-final win over Ireland.

Codie Taylor is firmly entrenched as the All Blacks’ first choice hooker but Foster has opted for Samisoni Taukei’aho to be his back-up number two during their semi-final victory over Argentina and for the final against South Africa.

Foster admitted that it was a difficult decision to leave Coles out of his matchday 23 and it was not easy to break the news to the experienced forward.

“Yeah, tough,” Foster told Stuff in reference to Coles’ omission. “That was a tough one. Probably the toughest I have had as a coach.”

Foster said although Coles must have felt deeply disappointed and possibly angry, he did not throw a tantrum and took the decision well.

“The way that I would have expected him to,” Foster said when asked how Coles coped with being told his services were not needed. “He’s a champion.”

Good news for Nepo Laulala

Meanwhile, there was good news for experienced front-row Nepo Laulala who comes into New Zealand’s matchday squad as the replacement tighthead prop at the expense of rookie front-row Fletcher Newell.

Laulala has represented his country in 53 Tests and is set to make his last appearance in the international arena as he will further his career with French outfit Toulouse after the World Cup.

READ MORE: All Blacks v Springboks preview: The ultimate Rugby World Cup final awaits