New Zealand comfortably beat Argentina 44-6 to reach the final of the Rugby World Cup in France. Coach Ian Foster spoke about the All Blacks’ successful performance and how the semi-final between England and South Africa will look.

Ian Foster and the New Zealand playersPhoto: Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP / Profimedia

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Ian Foster to watch England v South Africa semi-final ‘eating popcorn’

“Every week is a final and to go 44-6 … we were under a lot of pressure in parts of that game but we kept our composure and I think we were clinical when we needed to be.

We would like to start a little better than we did. We were pressured and we didn’t do very well. But I think what makes us happy is that we don’t panic when things don’t go well.

We may have had such moments in the past, but we keep our cool and wait for the opportunity. The last five minutes before the break are indicative. It was a tight first half and those minutes were pretty important in the game.

This is the most interesting. It’s hard in groups because you have to build something. But now we have two games before the play-offs and we are confident about where we are.

We know we have to be better next week, whoever we play, but we have to celebrate this moment.

I’ll probably watch him eat popcorn (no match between England and South Africa). I don’t care who wins. We are now focused on ourselves.

Both are good teams. South Africa have great rugby, but I’ve also seen England develop. The English are getting very good at how they want to play. It will be an interesting contrast of styles” – Ian Foster.

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New Zealand, the way to the final

New Zealand – Argentina 44-6 / semi-final

New Zealand – Ireland 28-24 / quarter

New Zealand – Uruguay 73-0

New Zealand v Italy 96-17

New Zealand v Namibia 71-3

New Zealand v France 13-27.

Who eventually won the Rugby World Cup

New Zealand (1987, 2011, 2015)

South Africa (1995, 2007, 2019)

Australia (1991, 1999)

England (2003).