Outgoing All Blacks coach Ian Foster has not ruled out a switch to the Wallabies, while saying it would be “immensely difficult” to coach a national team other than New Zealand.
Foster told NZ radio station Newstalk ZB on Friday that his options were open but a lot of the top jobs were gone.
There was also what could be construed as a sly dig at Eddie Jones, who resigned from the Wallabies amid reports that he interviewed for the vacant Japan job before leading the Wallabies to their World Cup doom.
Foster was asked directly if he was going to apply for the vacant Australia job after being linked with it in the wake of Jones’ resignation.
“I’m just having a rest at the moment – I’ve done well getting out of bed for this interview,” said Foster, who arrived home this week after taking the All Blacks to within a point of the World Cup title.
“I’m not saying anything about my future at the moment – all I’d say is I haven’t spoken to anyone about anything.
“I’ve done that deliberately. I had a couple of options before the World Cup where I said ‘if you want to talk to me you have to wait until after the World Cup’. Because I don’t want this team or this country thinking I was busy trying to sort myself out before the biggest event. I wanted people to know I was 100 percent focused on the team and and I’d like to think everyone saw that.
“Now I want to take my time and figure out what’s next. The timing’s not perfect because a lot of jobs are all gone. That’s okay – I was willing to take that risk.”
Foster was asked if he wanted to coach “at the highest level”.
“That’s one of the options.” he replied. “There are a few things – you’ve got the club stuff in Europe, you’ve got Japan and there’s the international game.
Ian Foster, Head Coach of New Zealand, looks on as he walks past The Webb Ellis Cup during the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michael Steele – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
“It’s immensely difficult talking about trying to coach another country when you’ve just had 12 years with the best team in the world and so close to my heart. Frankly I just need to breathe a little bit before I go down that path.”
Foster will be replaced by Scott Robertson and reflected on a difficult time in charge where he knew a lot of the fan base and New Zealand Rugby preferred the Crusaders coach.
“A number of the uniques of the situation I was in was when I got the job it always seemed to be under a conditon.
“There was a two-year contract. There was another candidate in their heart that people wanted and from then on it was the lens that they looked at everything we did. Once people fix their mind on an opinion it’s very hard to move them
“I’m relaxed on that. It doesn’t actually change the fact we’ve got a job to do and I’d like to think now they realise I led a group that was highly motivated and that could produce a team that can win a World Cup.
“The supporters have been phenomenal. You have to differentiate between some factions of the media and the rugby public.”
There was clearly people in both camps who thought Foster was doomed to failure after a difficult 2022 but his team almost proved everyone wrong, except himself.
“I always believed we could win it,” Foster said.
“The second half of last year we played really well. I know we’re losing seven or eight experienced players but we’ve introduced a number of newer players into leading positions and that occurred after that Ireland series.
“We’ve been though a period of change. We’ve got a lot of younger guys coming through now that the more experience we got into them, the better they looked.
“We were feeling we were in a good place but the nature of the World Cup draw effectively meant that the top four teams were playing each other in the quarter-finals and two were going to go home.
“Imagine what it’s like being in France and Ireland now. They went in with the highest of hopes of winning the World Cup and both go knocked out in the quarter-finals. That shows you how close the margins are.”
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Apparantly...But he is also Japanese :laughing:
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I would agree with that ...Although that's not hard n fast ..Other coaches other countries have done well not being bona fide citizens....But it just feels more aligned to me ...
TimO
Roar Rookie
What Kiwi coach in their right mind would want to coach Wallabies, after the way Kiwi coaches have been treated by RA? Also, Dave Rennie a far better coach than Foster. Even Foster better than Eddie, but Foster coaching Wallabies just seems like a negative for all concerned.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Eddie is Australian
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Yep. And what do you know, he got better out of the wallabies then the Aussie.
Guess
Roar Rookie
This. He’s a great guy but I’m not sure it’s possible to make him take on more risk if even his assistants didn’t convince him to pick roigard. I assume they tried cause it’s obvious he’s ahead of Christy, but foster said he values experience, more than form apparently
13th Man
Roar Rookie
If there were lots of great Australian coaches then absolutely I’d agree with you - but there aren’t many that scream pick me right now. I think they have to be more open minded.
Guess
Roar Rookie
I respect Foster and the culture he preserved at all blacks has been amazing but please no. While Wallabies selections have been so random lately as if they were made by deranged person, Foster is too conservative imo
Qualify
Roar Rookie
But didn't you also want Rennie to stay?
Phil Kearns Love Child
Roar Rookie
You'd have to be desperate and/or stupid to take the Wallabies Coaching position while McLennan is still there.
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
Amen brother.
johnomann628789
Roar Rookie
Absolutely sick of Foster, he was one game away from being sacked and lets be honest if it wasn't for the tactical genius of Joe Schmidt, New Zealand would never have got past the quarter final. Only reason he got the job was because he was close with Hansen, his prior coaching record was mediocre at best. Scott Robinson is the out and out most successful coach in Super Rugby, he earnt the job unlike Foster who's only records are tragic : Chiefs - -50% Win record, lost every chance at Silverware All Blacks - -1st Consecutive losses since 1998 against Ireland/France -1st Home loss to Ireland and 1st ever Home series loss to Ireland -Largest ever defeat to another nation (South Africa) -1st Home loss to Argentina -Most losses in a row for over 20 years
ScrumStability
Roar Rookie
The next coach of the Wallabies needs some assurances that the lessons of 2023 have been learned and implemented. For a start RA needs to completely restructure the roles that surround the head coach. One example would be have a high performance role that can demonstrate a centralised S&C standard that works in concert with the Super Rugby sides. Then at least the head coach can have some assurance that players being selected at national level are already passing minimum fitness standards. As for skills I would like to get back Mick Byrne and give him authority to implement a skills uplift program both at national and Super Level. If possible also promote this at lower tiers so that the skills level is lifted across the board. As for assistants I would love to get Laurrie back for our forwards, set piece and breakdown work. This would also help solidify the connection between Super and national level. Unless there is a better candidate that we can afford get Dan Palmer back for the scrum. Defence coach is an open question.
Rush Gunawardena
Roar Rookie
Well only we have quality coaches left in our system. Dan Mc , MC and Stephan Larkham .. So , what are options. Fozzy is a calm option , with many years of experience coaching the one of the best teams. Look at what he achieved under him. Every Bledisloe, almost all the RChampionship, So, probably two years with Wallabies ..
awa
Roar Rookie
Eddie will have his nose out of joint if Foster beat him to the Japan job. I wouldn't want to see Fozzie coaching the Wallabies, He has been immersed in NZ / AB rugby culture all his life. The change would be a hard one.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
I suppose ..Farrell has had success with Ireland ...But wouldnt it just have been nicer if it were an Irish coach ..Im not per se opposed to a foreign coach but genuinely just think it has more symmetry if he is Australian..Call me old fashioned .. :laughing: But ok.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
C'mon Ken, you need to give me harder questions than that! But for the record: Since 2020, from the pool of two, Australia's most loyal Head Coach and best servant of the game in Australia has been Mr Rennie. Without doubt, and with thanks.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Hi Jez, I am not sure if my guy is ready yet will the mess that has been happening. I am so disappointed in Eddie J as I was hoping for a redemption story for him to finish on a high.
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Jake W always wanted to coach the Wallabies if I recall correctly. When he was Brumbies coach he was aiming for that post
Wallabies_Larkham
Roar Rookie
Yes, As much as I like Eddie he has put together a circus team.