OPINION: If All Blacks coach Ian Foster was looking for sympathy after his side's defeat to the Springboks, his bizarre comments after the test fell on deaf ears.
New Zealand were utterly dominated by South Africa, losing by their biggest margin to their old foes in almost a century at Mbombela Stadium.
But his grumblings over the Springboks tactics in the air after the resounding loss scream of desperation from a coach fighting to keep his job.
A frustrated Foster used one particular incident to completely overshadow his side's failure to deal with the high ball, but instead, shifted blame on their opponents and the officials.
You will be hard pressed to find a single South African supporter or rugby fan who felt Springboks winger Kurt-Lee Arendse shouldn't have been shown red for his challenge on Beauden Barrett.
Referee Angus Gardner and TMO Brett Cronan came to a quick conclusion the collision warranted a sending off and rightly so, but Foster expressing his frustration at the incident and suggesting there was another similar early in the first half begs the question.
Why the frustration over the Arendse and Barrett contact, when the full extent of the law was actioned by the officials?
The previous contest he's alluding to in the 10th minute also involved Arendse, who jumped to compete with Jordie Barrett, with the TMO ruling a fair contest.
Foster made sure not to mention All Blacks captain Sam Cane impeding Arendse in his chase, but instead, chose to use one incident to overshadow his team's failings in the air.
The much taller Jordie Barrett and Will Jordan struggled to deal with the high ball, with Arendse and Makazole Mapimpi punching well above their stature in the aerial battles.
Foster's refusal to acknowledge South Africa's superiority in the air and his suggestion it was the All Blacks' "best performance of the year" is just a last-ditch attempt at distraction.
Rather than accept blame, it's easier to suggest they were hard done by and there were improvements as a sales pitch to his bosses, media and fans alike.
Quite simply, the Springboks wanted it more. Their desire to go up for every contest, as well as every loose ball, was the difference between them and the All Blacks.
The ability of Jordan and the Barretts under the high ball is unquestioned - they are exceptional proponents of the game - but whether it was just an off evening or desire, they were outdone by the better team.
If social media comments are anything to go by, All Blacks supporters aren't buying what Foster is selling and perhaps honesty would've been the best policy, after yet another defeat.
Reece Labuschagne is a Newshub digital sports producer
