Former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has revealed that his next coaching role will be with an overseas team due to his strained relationship with New Zealand Rugby (NZR). Foster criticized NZR’s handling of his position, particularly their announcement of his successor, Scott Robertson, before the Rugby World Cup. The 58-year-old expressed dissatisfaction with the current regime and stated that he cannot see himself coaching in New Zealand again, at least not in the short term.
Foster acknowledged the challenges of coaching against the All Blacks, a team he invested a lot in, but expressed his love for the international game. While he did not completely rule out a coaching position in New Zealand in the future, he emphasized the difficulty of doing so while the current administration is in place
Foster faced a challenging tenure as the All Blacks’ head coach, surviving a near-sacking in August 2022 after a disappointing run of form, including losses to Ireland and Argentina. Despite criticism, he retained the support of the players, and New Zealand Rugby opted for changes in the backroom staff, bringing in Joe Schmidt and Jason Ryan. The team gradually improved, reaching the final of the Rugby World Cup in 2023, ultimately losing to South Africa.
Reflecting on his tenure and the decision to appoint a new head coach for 2024, Foster expressed disappointment but not bitterness. He emphasized that his focus was always on coaching the team in 2023, and he is at peace with the effort he invested in putting the team as the number one priority.
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