Blacks senior manager Ian Foster saves his head

New Zealand’s rugby team announced on Wednesday that Ian Foster will continue to coach the All Blacks until next year’s World Cup in France, rekindling his confidence despite his recent poor performance. Foster thanked, with satisfaction, the Federation’s Board of Directors and CEO Mark Robinson for “strong support“.

“It is such an honor to have you in this position, it is never something you take for granted.The 57-year-old therefore remains in charge of the All Blacks for the upcoming Test at home against Argentina on August 27 in Christchurch and the World Cup in France in September 2023.

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New Zealand rugby team boss Stuart Mitchell has confirmed that the board still had confidence in Foster despite losing three of his five Test matches this year.

“I definitely want to point out that Ian Foster, as head coach, and Mark, as general manager, have the full support of the Board of Directors.Mitchell said.

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

And so Robinson refused to support Foster publicly, even after the All Blacks’ victory over South Africa on Saturday in Johannesburg. But Foster had no grudges after this episode. “In a way, it’s also part of Robo (Robinson) and Stew (Mitchell’s) job to criticize me.‘, he confirmed.

“I wish it wasn’t, but we live in the real world and we’re under pressure to perform. no problemFoster has already received support from players like Ardi Savia and captain Sam Kahn after Saturday’s win.

Robinson called for the resignation in some New Zealand media, and insisted that the All Blacks camp remained united. “We’re really excited about the developments and changes we’ve seen and some of the tweaks that Foster has made“He confirmed.”We believe – at the level of the board of directors, executives and players – that together we stand behind this.“.

Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt appointed as full-back coach

But the New Zealand Football Association announced on Wednesday a major change in training with the appointment of former Irish coach Joe Schmidt as the coach in charge of defence.

Time to succeed Ian Foster Schmidt, who will soon turn 57, has also headed in the past at Leinster and Clermont, winning the French Champion’s title as an assistant in 2010.

He was called up as a booster by the NZR last June to act as a temp when Foster tested positive for Covid-19 and has since had no official title among New Zealand’s staff.

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