Foster vs Gatland: Old mates to clash in first Test

Ian Foster talks with Warren Gatland (Photosport)
Ian Foster talks with Warren Gatland (Photosport)

Blues midfielder George Moala has joined the All Blacks squad to cover for Charlie Ngatai.

The Chiefs midfielder is still struggling with concussion symptoms and assistant coach Ian Foster has revealed he has been sent home to continue his recovery.

But it was talk of Foster's old Waikato teammate Warren Gatland that dominated today's media conference.

Foster and Gatland coach in different hemispheres but haven't drifted apart.

"I keep in touch with Gats," says Foster. "His family live a couple of hundred metres down the road."

Foster and the Wales coach go way back. They played in the famous Waikato Ranfurly Shield team in 1993.

They were regular partners in card game Yuka and coached together before Gatland left for Wales in 2007.

"He's done a great job over there and I know he's looking forward to coming back and bringing his team back," says Foster.

But Gatland's team could be in for a tough time if it can't recover from yesterday's 27-13 loss to England.

"You could tell that both teams probably hadn't been together for a heck of a long time," says Foster.

Neither have the All Blacks, and the first Test combination will be intriguing, especially at first-five.

Aaron Smith doesn't mind who plays outside him.

"You close your eyes and open them I'd be happy either way, if you know what I mean," says Smith.

He's played with Aaron Cruden, Lima Sopoaga and Beauden Barrett and adapts to his 10.

"Yes I try to [adapt]. I just try to learn what each guy likes -- little tendencies. Some like it at them more and some want to be running. You want it to be like your partner; you want to know their facial expressions. 'Is that a good thing? Is that a bad thing?'."

It's good to keep your first-five happy, although the team's former barber doesn't mind messing with fullback Israel Dagg and his receding hairline.

"Izzy tries to get me there but I can't put hair on head, so it's all good," says Smith.

One thing's for sure -- the spirits are high before the Wales series.

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