New Zealand will appoint a successor to All Blacks head coach Ian Foster ‘within six weeks’ after the World Cup.
New Zealand Rugby (NZR) will choose a new All Blacks coach within six weeks of the World Cup to replace Ian Foster, who has announced he would not reapply for the position. Scott Robertson is one of the likely contenders to replace Foster.
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has indicated he will not reapply for the position after the Rugby World Cup in France, with a decision on his replacement due within the next six weeks.
Foster has previously asked New Zealand Rugby (NZR) to wait until after the World Cup in September to select who will take over the post in 2024 and beyond.
NZR stated that “recent events” and competition for talent in the global rugby market compelled them to begin their search sooner, with the process to find a new coach already underway.
“Following wide-ranging consultation and after carefully weighing up all scenarios and the key lessons from 2019, New Zealand Rugby is now commencing a process for selecting the All Blacks Head Coach from 2024,” Patsy Reddy, chairman of New Zealand Rugby, said in a
“Because of the differing opinions on the best timings for this process, and because neither timing window is perfect, New Zealand Rugby will not make any further comment after today until a decision is reached.” This will be completed within four to six weeks.”
The announcement comes three weeks after Scott Robertson, who is widely expected to succeed Foster after the World Cup, indicated he expected an announcement on his future in the New Zealand coaching hierarchy soon.
When Steve Hansen stepped down in 2019, Robertson lost out to Foster for the position, but the success he has supervised at the Canterbury Crusaders has won him numerous coaching opportunities in other countries.
Foster and the current All Blacks staff, according to Reddy, continue to have NZR’s “full support” leading up to and during the World Cup.
Foster told New Zealand media last week that if the All Blacks win the World Cup, he would prefer to stay on as coach, but he reiterated on Wednesday that he will accept NZR’s decision and move on.
“As I stated last week, I felt it was best for our team and the entire management group to complete this process after the Rugby World Cup,” Foster said in a statement. “My entire focus remains the same.
“It is to lead this All Blacks team and management group in our planning and preparation so that we can go to France and win the Rugby World Cup and make this country proud.” I’m not going to reapply for the job.”
Foster faced severe scrutiny last year after the All Blacks suffered three straight defeats against Ireland and South Africa, but NZR backed him as coach through to the World Cup following an August assessment.
He then led the All Blacks to their seventh Rugby Championship victory and an undefeated tour of the northern hemisphere last season.
On September 8, New Zealand will kick off their World Cup campaign against hosts France, with the All Blacks joined in Pool A by Italy, Uruguay, and Namibia.
