Rugby: New Zealand coach Ian Foster saves his head

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZR) announced on Wednesday that Ian Foster will remain coach of the All Blacks until the World Cup in France next year, renewing its confidence in him despite his poor performances of late.

Foster thanked the federation’s board of directors and chief executive Mark Robinson for their “strong support”. “It’s such an honor to have this position, it’s something you don’t ever take for granted,” he said.

So the 57-year-old remains in charge of the All Blacks for the next home game against Argentina on August 27 in Christchurch, as part of Day Three of the Rugby Championship, and theoretically until the World Cup in France in September 2023.

New Zealand rugby chief Stuart Mitchell insisted the board still had faith in Foster despite losing three out of their last five matches of the year.

“I definitely want to point out that Ian Foster as head coach and Mark (Robinson) as general manager have the full support” of the board, Mitchell said.

Foster has been under pressure after back-to-back defeats at home to Ireland last month, followed by a heavy loss to South Africa.

– “Enthusiastic” –

On Sunday, Robinson refused to publicly support Foster, even after the All Blacks beat South Africa the day before in Johannesburg (35-23), on the second day of the Rugby Championship, the competition that brings together the best four nations. from the southern hemisphere.

But Foster claims he never had any resentment after this episode.

“In a way, it’s part of Robinson and Stew (Mitchell’s) job to criticize me,” he said.

He added “I wish it wasn’t, but we live in the real world and we’re under pressure to perform. I don’t mind it.”

Foster received support from players such as Ardi Savea and captain Sam Cann after Saturday’s win. His predecessor Steve Hansen has also given him a strong boost recently, blaming New Zealand rugby’s leaders.

“I don’t think they’re doing their job right,” he said at the end of July.

Urged as such, Mark Robinson to resign by some New Zealand media insisted on Tuesday on the current unity of all the All Blacks components.

“We’re really excited (…) about the changes we’ve seen and some of the tweaks that Foster has made,” he said.

“We believe – at the level of the board, the executive and the players – that together we support this.”