All Blacks asked to lay down marker

Ian Foster is not a man prone to hyperbole, so when the All Blacks coach talks about putting down a ‘‘marker on the big stage’’ against Ireland, you figure something special may be brewing for the Aviva this weekend.

More so when you factor in his pledge to go on the attack against an Ireland side whose own belief is riding high on the back of a nine-try demolition of Japan. It is not just emotions that will be flying in Dublin tomorrow but the ball too if Foster’s selection, and intent, is anything to go by.

Foster made one important tweak to his top lineup on the back of the runaway victory against Wales in Cardiff, shifting Rieko Ioane into centre and bringing Sevu Reece in to start on the left wing. It is a change, says Foster, aimed at taking the game to the bullish Irish.

‘‘It’s how we finished the Welsh game,’’ Foster said of his backline reshuffle, with Anton Lienert-Brown shifting to No12 and David Havili dropping to the bench role. ‘‘I thought in that last 20 minutes we showed plenty of energy. It’s a combination that’s been training together in preparation for that role two weeks ago, with the attacking mindset it’s got.

‘‘Moving Rieko back in [to centre] changes the dynamics. We just felt for the first part of this game at this stage of the year, going in with an attacking mindset ... it’s good to bring Sevu into the starting lineup because he’s bringing plenty of energy. It’s as simple as that.’’

Foster’s top XV is otherwise intact, with Beauden Barrett remaining the first-choice No10 and the loose trio of Ardie Savea, Dalton Papalii and Ethan Blackadder retained. On the bench Dane Coles comes in, as expected, to provide veteran impact at hooker, while Fin Christie covers at halfback in Brad Weber’s head-knock absence..

A decidedly upbeat Foster put a clear line in the sand when he spoke of his team’s readiness to deliver as they eye a big finish to their historic tour against Ireland, and then France. It’s notable that this group has only been asked to play the one test (against Wales) since the Rugby Championship finale on October 2. They should have plenty of gas in the tank.

‘‘We’ve had two blocks of five tests in a row. The last block we finished with two tests against South Africa and now we finish this block with Ireland and [France],’’ added Foster.

‘‘We’ve been able to plan around that. I think we’re as ready as we can be for this game, and we’re not lacking any motivation.

‘‘These are the big stages that we seek. I think we’re still a developing team, we’re still growing in what we want to do, and these are the games that you put a marker down and get the answers as to where you’re at in some aspects.’’

And Foster didn’t mind admitting that as an All Blacks coach these are challenges you relish because they inform you so thoroughly.

‘‘It’s about the players, strategies, how you adapt in-game ... there will be situations chucked at us that will be new to this group and they’re going to have to deal with that. A significant number haven’t played a lot of tests in the northern hemisphere and it’s a great experience. These are games you really want to be involved in.’’

Foster also underlined Ioane’s adaptability and value in 2021 as a player commanding two positions in his backline, and allowing fluidity with selections, which this week allows them to bring in Reece’s energy on the wing from the off.

‘‘There are not many players who can demand a starting spot in two positions and he’s shown a great maturity the way he’s handled that. It’s given us the opportunity to use him in different roles at different phases, but this is a game we want to get the ball in his hands early if we can.’’

Foster also spoke about Blackadder’s retention in the competitive No6 jersey, with an eye to the challenge about to present.

‘‘It’s a very physical, closequarter game up here, and that suits him. He’s very uncompromising in what he does and he’s adding the skill part to his game all the time. We know it’s going to be a battle up front, it’s a tough Irish pack, the breakdown and quality of your ballcarry and defence is important, and in a couple of those areas Ethan has made quite an impact.’’