Foster will leave his post after the World Cup

Mathieu Warnier, Media365 Posted on Wed Mar 1 2023 at 3:30pm.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has confirmed in a press release that it has launched the process leading to the appointment of the future All Blacks head coach, who will replace Ian Foster at the end of the 2023 World Cup.

There will be a No. 26 All Blacks coach by the end of 2023. Back in February, Ian Foster expressed his feelings about his mid-term future at the helm of New Zealand rugby. “I think it is very unlikely that I will fill this position next year,” he had gushed on the radio Newstalk ZB The one who succeeded Steve Hansen the day after the 2019 World Cup, staged in Japan and which saw the All Blacks finish third. A hunch has now become a reality. Indeed, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZR) confirmed this Wednesday through a press release that it has appropriately begun the process to appoint the future head coach of the All Blacks, who will take over Ian Foster’s duties once New Zealand’s trip to the 2023 World Cup is complete.

Robertson is in first place to succeed Foster

“Following extensive consultation and a careful assessment of all scenarios and key lessons from 2019, New Zealand rugby is now in the process of selecting the head coach for the All Blacks from 2024,” said NZR. A decision is expected to take four to six weeks. The departure was announced early which may have come as a relief to New Zealand fans. At the same time, unlike the choices England, Wales or Australia have made in recent months, New Zealand rugby captains have decided to keep their faith in Ian Foster until the end of his tenure. “The current All Blacks coaching staff, led by Ian Foster, continue to enjoy the full support of New Zealand throughout this crucial year of the World Cup,” he said of the coach, who has suffered nine defeats in 34 consecutive matches. To replace him, while the current Japan coach Jimmy Joseph has been named, the local press has confirmed that Scott Robertson, the Crusaders coach, is now in pole position to take over the All Blacks.