Ian Foster (New Zealand) will not be running as head coach of the All Blacks

Ian Foster will not run again as New Zealand coach after the 2023 World Cup in France (8 September – 28 October), he said on Wednesday. The move comes after the New Zealand Rugby Union launched a search for the next All Blacks coach to succeed Foster in 2024, whose contract expires this year. The latter criticized the governing body for starting the recruitment process in the midst of preparations for the World Cup.

“As I said last week, I felt the best thing for our team and the entire management group would be to complete this process after the Rugby World Cup.Foster noted in a statement.It didn’t happen but we will accept the decision and move on. I will not apply again for the position of technical directorsaid the 57-year-old, who added that he remains focused on winning the World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby has taken the unusual step of starting the recruitment process well before Foster’s contract expires, in a bid to prevent rival international teams from poaching candidates they eye. “This is particularly important in the global rugby environment where there is great competition for elite coaching talent.New Zealand President of Rugby Patsy Reddy explained in a statement.This will be completed within the next four to six weeksshe added.

Foster has been under pressure since last year after a series of erratic performances from the All Blacks, including a losing streak against Ireland and his first loss at home to Argentina. He claimed last month that speculation about his future could hurt the team’s preparation for the World Cup, which begins in September.

Robertson’s favorite to succeed him?

“I’m particularly frustrated by the fact that we’d rather focus on making tables based on what some of the favorites think is good for them, rather than what’s good for this All Blacks team.New Zealand Canterbury Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is considered the favorite to succeed him.

Robertson has coached the Crusaders since 2017, which he has led to six straight Super Rugby titles. Several national teams and clubs have shown interest in encroaching on him. Japan coach Jimmy Joseph, also a former All Blacks forward, is seen as another strong candidate for the job.