Foster having sleepless nights over final loss to Boks: 'Kwagga clearly had hands on the ground'

Outgoing All Blacks coach Ian Foster is still finding it hard to digest their narrow 12-11 loss to the Springboks in last month's Rugby World Cup final in Paris.

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The All Blacks had skipper Sam Cane sent off with a red card in the first half, but fought gallantly with 14 men until the end.

They largely dominated the second stanza and had chances to win, but Richie Mo'unga and Jordie Barrett missed crucial kicks at goal.

In an interview with The Platform podcast, Foster rued some of the decisions did not go New Zealand's way.

"I think the World Cup should have finished on a penalty to us, near where Jordie missed his first kick. Kwagga Smith clearly had hands on the ground when he won a ball at the breakdown that we didn't get a penalty for.

"The drama of having a 48-metre penalty to finish a World Cup, that wouldn't have done anyone's nerves any good anyway," Foster said.

Foster, who will be replaced as New Zealand coach by Scott Roberston, added that he felt the ball just didn't bounce their way on the night.

"You can look at some of the controllables, there was a great Jordie Barrett chip in the first half and Ardie (Savea) ran onto it, the ball didn't bounce his way.

"We had a couple of goal kicks in that last 20 that didn't go over. But look, there's a whole lot of 'what ifs', but that's what it is."

Foster admitted it will be tough for him to ever overcome the disappointment of losing a World Cup final.

"Am I philosophical? I guess I am, but what I've learnt is I'll never get over it, I don't think, but there is no point in us carrying around a lot of anger about it either because it doesn't change.

"We've just got to acknowledge that's what