You can throw the conspiracy theories into the bin when it comes to the All Blacks influencing the judiciary panel on the Sonny Bill Williams suspension - at least that's what Ian Foster says.
The All Blacks assistant coach has hit back at criticism that New Zealand Rugby intimidates officials to have rulings go their way, labelling those comments "ludicrous".
Williams has been given the all-clear to play against the Wallabies on August 19 in Sydney, after a World Rugby independent panel ruled that an All Blacks trial match counts as the final game of his suspension for copping a red card in the second Test against the Lions.
Former Australian fullback Matthew Burke believes that decision was ridiculous.
"They've now got away with it, and I just think that's another classic case of someone falling to New Zealand Rugby saying, 'Oh okay, we better not upset these guys'," Burke told Sky Sports Australia.
But Foster has slammed those claims, telling Newshub that the NZR legal counsel presented a case that was undeniable.
"You can chuck the conspiracy theories in the bin to be honest," Foster said.
"It's like saying we had three Australians on the Sonny Bill Williams judiciary panel and crying foul. You didn't hear us criticise or come up with conspiracy theories when he copped the four weeks.
"We just wanted to be able to present the case properly, which we felt we did.
"It's about the independence of the process - you have to be clear and logical with your arguments and in our case, common sense has prevailed."
Foster said they were able to prove that their upcoming 'game of three halves' against Taranaki and Counties is a meaningful encounter that has its own repercussions.
"In this particular case the appeal was purely based around the definition of the All Blacks game against Taranaki and Counties," Foster said.
"For the All Blacks this is a vital game - it's our only warm-up before the Bledisloe Cup. We are playing two Mitre 10 Cup teams so we can play against two fresh teams for 40 minutes."
"Ironically, if someone gets red-carded in this particular match they will have to go through a judiciary hearing as they would in any other competitive match.
"I think it's hypocritical to say that one player can be suspended for an illegal act in a match, but another player can't use that match to live out a suspension."
Foster added the match's slogan is a promotional tool more than a matter of fact.
"The concept of three halves is more a marketing ploy than anything - we have an 80-minute game," he said.
"We are playing two 40-minute halves, we play under the laws of the game, and we have New Zealand's top referees.
Foster said Williams is chomping at the bit to get back on the park after what will be a five-week stint on the sidelines.
"He is still hurting. He had to pay the price," he said.
"At the end of the day , he has paid his dues - he missed the best part of the second Test against the Lions.
"He missed the entire third Test and he missed the final Blues game against the Sunwolves. Now he will miss our lead-up game - so yes, he has paid a price, but he is ready to go."
The All Blacks play Australia on August 19.
Newshub.
