Bledisloe Cup: All Blacks get game plan right in demolition of Australia but off-field issues remain

New Zealand clinch Bledisloe Cup with a 57-22 win against Australia in the second test

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The New Zealand All Blacks celebrate after defeating Australia in the second Bledisloe Cup rugby test at Eden Park in Auckland. Photo: AP

Published: 12:09pm, 15 Aug 2021Updated: 9:59pm, 15 Aug 2021

With the Bledisloe Cup wrapped up in a 57-22 demolition of Australia on Saturday, New Zealand have set their sights on the Rugby Championship with uncertainty surrounding coaches, venues and travel.

“It was a really good performance, one we’re proud of,” coach Ian Foster said after his All Blacks bounced back from an unconvincing win in the first test to demolish the Wallabies in the second.

Questions around a high penalty count and poor finish in the first test were answered.

But further questions remain as the squad prepares to fly to Australia next Sunday for what could be more than three months on the road and with Foster not knowing if he will have a job when he eventually gets home just before Christmas.

His two-year contract expires at the end of the year and New Zealand Rugby has yet to indicate if it will be renewed for Foster to take the side through to the 2023 World Cup in France.

The All Blacks, looking to regain the Rugby championship crown they lost to South Africa last year, also want to know where the matches are to be played with the original schedule thrown into chaos by Covid travel restrictions.