All Blacks coach Ian Foster and captain Sam Cane have come to the defence of star midfielder Rieko Ioane after he came under fire from Irish media for his "classless" taunting of Ireland after Sunday's Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
During emotional scenes after the All Blacks 28-24 victory in Paris, Ioane copped a fiery spray from retiring Irish great Johnny Sexton after appearing to provoke him while cupping hands.
Photos of Ioane making gestures to the Irish-favoured crowd also garnered attention, prompting Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley to call the 26-year-old "classless".
But speaking to media this morning after naming his side for Saturday's semifinal against Argentina - which includes Ioane again starting in the No.13 jersey - Foster said what happens on the pitch, stays on the pitch, regardless of the sport.
“Look, it happens on a rugby park, it happens on most sporting parks when tensions are high and there is a lot at stake,” Foster said.
“Players from both teams, and all teams, occasionally want to say a few words to each other. And that is the nature of the game.”
Cane concurred, knowing first hand about the taunts that can be exchanged between rugby's new big rivalry after Irish flanker Peter O'Mahony caused scenes last year when he called the All Blacks skipper a "shit Richie McCaw" during the series in New Zealand.
Coincidentally, Cane went on to have one of his greatest performances in the black jersey on Sunday while eliminating O'Mahony and the Irish, even drawing praise from McCaw himself.
“I think it is also a little bit of different players' and different personalities coming out in those moments,” Cane said.
"When you are out there, I don't think it matters what level of sport, there is always people who have different tactics and their emotions can run high and words are said.
“It is always just left out there.”
Foster also pointed out players have started to take shots at referees after games following French captain Antoine Dupont's complaints about Kiwi official Ben O'Keeffe for his ruling of France's loss to South Africa.
Dupont's comments came after Sexton was handed a three game ban earlier this year for abusing officials at the Champions Cup final.
"Unfortunately, recently, it has also included players saying a few things to referees,” Foster added.
"Is it right for the game? Don't know. It has always been there. It is highly competitive and you don't hear a lot of players complain about it."
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