Ian Foster has won the two-horse race to succeed Steve Hansen as All Blacks coach, beating out Crusaders boss Scott Robertson to the role.
Robertson has enjoyed incredible success with the Canterbury side since taking over, leading them to three consecutive Super Rugby titles, but Foster has been a constant presence in the New Zealand set-up since 2012, working as attack coach and joining Hansen and Grant Fox on the selection panel.
Foster has only been given a two-year deal, but it is assumed he will sign an extension later in his tenure which will keep him in charge of the team through to the next World Cup.
» ANALYSIS: Ian Foster’s All Blacks attack
Foster was previously the head coach of the Chiefs for an eight-year stint, although he didn’t enjoy the success which Robertson has, reaching just one final in 2009.
In making the announcement, New Zealand Rugby chairman Brett Impey confirmed four assistants will join Foster, although didn’t reveal who exactly will make up his team of assistants.
“While we can’t confirm the full make-up of the coaching team today, we’re delighted with the quality they bring − they have a wide range of coaching experiences and are a diverse group of thinkers,” Impey said.
“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, I want to congratulate Ian on his appointment, and we wish him well for this next phase in the All Blacks’ story.”
It is believed, though, that John Plumtree, Brad Mooar and Greg Feek could be new faces amongst the wider coaching group, as could current assistants Scott McLeod and David Hill.
“I feel truly privileged and honoured to be given this opportunity and I can’t wait to lead the team into the next chapter of what is a remarkable legacy,” Foster said after being confirmed as head coach.
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the All Blacks over the last eight years and I’m excited and energised by a new coaching team who will join me.
“It’s incredibly humbling to be appointed to the job and I have a strong desire to serve the jersey well and represent New Zealand to the best of my ability.
New NZR CEO Mark Robinson praised Robertson, acknowledging it was tough to overlook the current Crusaders boss.
“As someone who knows ‘Razor’ well as a former teammate, he was a very impressive candidate and these decisions are never easy,” Robinson said.
“We know Razor is an outstanding coach and I have no doubt he’ll have a big future in our game at international level.”
For Robertson, who signed a two-year extension with the Crusaders and NZR Rugby earlier this year, a stint overseas now seems likely once his current contract expires.
Nos 9
Roar Rookie
A bit harsh . Aus Rugby was in the shit way before Castle was appointed! She inherited a severely dysfunctional organisation that needs a major enema to fix it. If Rennie is successful in rebuilding the Wallabies( which I hope he is!!) then she will be vindicated. There is no quick or easy fix I don't agree with her /boards decision re Folau.. should have had clear use of social media clauses in his contract after his first posting and Cheika should have been replaced for poor results etc pre WC. Rennie has been given the opportunity to rebuild the Wallabies. There are a lot of good players to choose from and the potential to develop a strong team in the next WC cycle. I think that Cheika's major mistake ( he made a few...) was trying to make the Wallabies play a style of rugby that did not suit the personnel in the team.. the ridiculous attempted counter attacking etc from within their own 22 in the Eng game was bizzarre. I hope that Rennie evaluates the players at his disposal and implements a style of Rugby that suits them. The Wallabies have some very good tight forwards.. anyway I am looking forward to watching how both the AB's and the Wallabies evolve over the next 4 yrs.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Thats a pity .... should have stayed coach
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Robertson ending up as an international assistant outside of NZ (or even inside NZ) would be a surprise considering he sees himself as a head coach. People's minds can be changed of-course.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
I'd be surprised if Foster hasn't already named his assistants - we just don't know their names yet. Would have been a somewhat significant factor in his gaining the job I would have thought. Not sure Schmidt will be one of those names - not in the foreseeable future at least. I've heard him say very recently that he is not even sure whether he will ever coach again.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Surely "anyone with half a brain" (your words) would know that NZR did not expect applications from more than a handful of serious contenders. They already knew Gatland and Schmidt would not be contenders and it was being said for a long time that Aust already had Rennie locked in. Foster and Robertson were the only ones that stated it was their intention to apply. Who else? Joseph/Brown? and they were always going to be a one.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
There was never 26 candidates. You only become a candidate when you actually push send on your email application. No one ever, surely, seriously thought there were actually 26 people in the race.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Most
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I agree Riddler. And that NZ were able to dictate a 2 year contract, presumably for the reasons you state, and we were not speaks volumes for where we are
Lara
Guest
If all goes according to plan , Razor will get the job in 4 years. Foster will be ok, hope he can get Razor on board as an assistant coach in 2 years time.
Chukling
Guest
Yep I remember driving around with the North’s Junior Development Officer (my mate’s Dad), and the busted up Bledisloe in the back seat of the Mitsubishi Colt next to me. I miss those days of amateur rugby.
riddler
Roar Rookie
i am a fan of 2 year contracts unless they are young players with amazing ability and potential and even then only at a push, like jordan p. there is no problem with 2 years options added on to the contracts with kpis to be met, on both sides. 4 years i have read people justify, personally i just don't feel it is necessary. if the ship goes awry during the 2 years after a world cup, then a new appointment can be made. look at the turn around jones had with england within one season. 4 years is a very long time in professional sport.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Not so convinced… I have always said that Rassie coaching and Pollard playing well would have them right in the mix to win this. It wasn’t that great a surprise considering Rassie’s credentials. As both a player and a coach he is exceptional and again demonstrated this at the RWC. You take Rassie and Pollard out of the mix and then I would buy that the rugby world would be in shock. As much as I like to engage in banter with SA fans, having Rassie at the helm, means the result of one game doesn’t determine what happens in the next. Sad to see him go back to head of rugby in SA… for two reasons, the Bok are infinitely more beatable without him and SA rugby overall is strengthened with his leadership. Rassie bought Bok rugby back to its strengths, indomitable forward play, backed up with a solid first five and some pace and defence in the backs, even if not as co-ordinated and exciting as the AB’s.
Kiwi in us
Guest
Just want to say, Rassie is a idol of mine. What he did, and Vermilion in that game a month or so ago, still leaves me in awe. Haven’t been on site for a while. Carry on.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
That's the thing, with a list that big, how many are actually being considered? There's no way 26 coaches were being seriously considered, so some of that last becomes redundant.
Peter Kelly
Guest
Cheika possibly had as much chance as 20 of the 26 - was a pretty ridiculous number. Will be interesting to see who are the assistants.
Peter Kelly
Guest
I do agree Foster was not my first choice although I can see why after succession has worked well from Henry to Hansen that NZR went this way. I'm also biased as a Crusaders fan so happy to keep a triple championship winning coach in Christchurch. We will lose Robertson in 2 years anyway, hopefully to the ABs if Foster is as most expect.
bobt
Guest
Being a Wallabies supporter it was a bit weird watching the final...should I support the English with Eddie Jones or support the underdog who had been quietly building form and confidence? Since I was in the same room only SA expats I figured I had better support the Boks...glad I did.
bobt
Guest
Hopefully Foster has learnt from his past mistakes but he certainly would not have been my choice. I really thought Robinson was the way to go...shame he missed out.
bobt
Guest
Cheika eh…interesting idea. I wonder if he was on the list of 26?
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Henry has good results in 04-06. Even in 07 he lost one game, when the referee missed a howler. Hardly a comparison with Foster’s record. It is a team effort. The point is that the All Blacks has a good head coach from 16-19. However, results still declined and it was Foster’s attack that was the biggest issue. He might do well, but there isn’t really anything to suggest he was actually a good choice.