Foster friendship

REUTERS: Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev rose through the junior ranks together but the two Russians will put their friendship on hold when they meet in the U.S. Open quarter-finals on Wednesday. Medvedev, 24, and Rublev, 22, have been good friends since taking part in Under-10 tournaments and three years ago competed alongside each other at the Next Gen ATP Finals. The two have soared up the ATP rankings and lead a strong Russian generation tipped to challenge for Grand Slam spoils. Medvedev defeated Rublev in straight sets in both their previous meetings but is taking nothing for granted at Flushing Meadows. "It's always tricky to play a friend," said Medvedev. "It's more unconsciously, because consciously you prepare for your match, try to win. "Unconsciously you know he's your friend since eight, know him already 16 years. There are some things going on in your mentality, but you try to get rid of it." Third seed Medvedev, the only player left in the men's draw … [Read more...] about Friendship takes a backseat as Medvedev faces Rublev

WELLINGTON: New All Blacks coach Ian Foster has started his rebuild for the 2023 Rugby World Cup with seven new faces in his first squad although the team has yet to have any matches confirmed for this year. Loose forwards Hoskins Sotutu and Cullen Grace, locks Quinten Strange and Tupou Vaa'i, prop Alex Hodgman and outside backs Caleb Clarke and Will Jordan were named on Sunday in the squad. Prop Karl Tu'inukuafe and outside back Damian McKenzie have also earned recalls after battling with injury last year, while uncapped loose forward Akira Ioane and hooker Asafo Aumua have also forced their way back into the squad. Both Ioane and Aumua have played non-test matches. Flyhalf Josh Ioane, who made his test debut off the bench last year, was not included with McKenzie expected to cover the position if Beauden Barrett or Richie Mo'unga get injured, All Blacks selector Grant Fox said. The All Blacks are tentatively scheduled to play Australia in test matches next month and … [Read more...] about Seven new faces in Foster’s first All Blacks squad

WELLINGTON: All Blacks coach Ian Foster is still planning on his side having a full international season starting on Oct. 3, despite the re-emergence of the novel coronavirus in New Zealand. The All Blacks tests against Wales and Scotland scheduled for June were cancelled and their itinerary for the rest of 2020 has yet to be confirmed because of travel curbs to rein in the virus. They are, however, expected to begin Foster's tenure with a match against a combined Pacific islands invitational team on Oct. 3 and Foster said that was still what he expected. "Things are getting finalised and it's what we're working off," Foster told reporters on a conference call. "We're also working off eight tests in a nine week-type Rugby Championship programme." SANZAAR, the alliance of South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina, have said they hope to play the international Rugby Championship in a November-December window, with all four teams based in New Zealand. The country was … [Read more...] about Foster still hopeful of test season, Australia in Super Rugby

WELLINGTON: Australian rugby has made great strides over the last couple of months, and the inclusion of their Super Rugby teams in a joint competition with New Zealand is the next logical step, All Blacks coach Ian Foster believes. New Zealand and Australia have held their own editions of Super Rugby this year after the already troubled five-nation version was halted by COVID-19 travel restrictions. Negotiations over a joint competition for 2021 have stalled over New Zealand's reluctance to involve all five Australian teams because of a perceived lack of player depth across the Tasman Sea. Foster, however, said he had seen encouraging improvement over the course of Super Rugby AU. "The difference between their first couple of rounds to their last couple has been dramatic," Foster told news website Stuff Media. "From an All Blacks coaches' perspective, we've seen a significant rise in standard in their competition. That bodes well for a Super competition but also for us as … [Read more...] about New Zealand Super Rugby needs an improving Australia, All Blacks coach says

WELLINGTON: All Blacks captain Sam Cane has been left out of the North-South match on Aug. 29 as he recovers from a concussion sustained in the Waikato Chiefs' final Super Rugby Aotearoa match earlier this month. All Blacks coach Ian Foster named the two squads on Tuesday for the match between the composite sides that represent the country's two main islands. Cane was not the only All Blacks player missing through injury with Dane Coles, Scott Barrett and Ngani Laumape not considered, Foster said in a statement. The game is scheduled for Eden Park in Auckland but New Zealand Rugby have placed Wellington Regional Stadium on standby due to COVID-19 restrictions in Auckland and the teams will assemble in Wellington next Monday. "One thing about 2020 with COVID-19 is that you have to be nimble and agile and this week and next will be no different," Foster said. "We're adjusting and adapting, we'll look forward to getting to Wellington and getting stuck into our preparation." … [Read more...] about Injured New Zealand captain Cane missing from North-South match