Competition for All Blacks starting spots intensifies ahead of Fiji clash

All Blacks coach Ian Foster says competition for places in the starting fifteen is stronger than it has been for a long time.

The Tonga Test and the two against Fiji in Dunedin this weekend and Hamilton next week would be important in assessing the make-up of the side for the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship campaigns, ahead of the northern hemisphere tour later in the year.

Foster says the Steinlager Series is a very important series for them from that perspective.

He says the great thing is they have the chance to give some people some opportunity to put their best foot forward during the training week. Foster says while a lot of attention would focus on the 102-0 score, they are delighted to be back playing rugby and against the Pacific nations.

The All Blacks will face the Flying Fijians at 7.05pm Saturday.

[Source: Stuff.co.nz]