Video: Assistant Ian Foster insists All Blacks are progressing

Ian Foster and Steve Hansen (Getty Images)
Ian Foster and Steve Hansen (Getty Images)

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster says his side's tracking well despite not yet producing their "A" game at the Rugby World Cup.

The All Blacks have had three wins against Argentina, Namibia and Georgia and while they scored seven tries in their latest match, they were off the pace in some areas, including an error rate that included 18 handling mistakes.

The All Blacks insist though that they are building for the quarter finals and that they are satisfied with their progress.

Their next challenge is against Tonga, who have already been beaten this tournament by Argentina and Georgia.

The All Blacks have some injury worries with wing Waisake Naholo taking only a limited part in training while prop Charlie Faumuina (calf) and Sonny Bill Williams (flu) did not take part at all.

The side will be named on Thursday and it's maybe the last chance for Liam Messam to get a run this World Cup. His calf injury means he's the only member of the 31-strong squad not to have played.

Naholo's injury is not considered serious and comes after just the one Test back after breaking his leg against Argentina in Christchurch.

He scored a brilliant try against Georgia in the opening minutes but did not last the game. He has bruising to his leg.

The coaches want him to get more game time, though say there is plenty of firepower in Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea if he can't suit up.

Check out Foster's comments on where the team is in the video above.

3 News