New Zealand: Ian Foster kept it up, Joe Schmidt upgraded

New Zealand decided. Ian Foster will be the coach of the All Blacks until the next World Cup. Despite his team’s victory in Johannesburg over South Africa last Saturday (35-23), his position has not yet been confirmed. Rumors of a player who lost three consecutive matches being sent off persisted in the summer of 2022. Prior to the Johannesburg match, he had lost even five of the last six encounters. A disastrous record on the All Blacks scale.

The hour was dangerous because Mark Robinson, CEO of the NZRU, refused to publicly support him after the final whistle for the Test. It certainly seems that the NZRU bosses have understood that the players support their coach. Some even wanted to symbolically come and stand behind him during the press conference (but eventually gave in). ” In a way, it’s also part of a job ” Robot » (Robinson) to criticize me commented the coach, unfazed and aware of the shortcomings of his position.

Previously, Foster had thanked executives for ” Strong support. […] It’s an honor to hold this position, it’s never something you take for granted. The manager saved his head after losing his assistants, John Plumtree and Brad Moore at the end of July after the series against Ireland. He now works with Dave Ryan, in charge of the forwards (ex-Fiji and Crusaders). The influence of the latter was apparently being felt in South Africa with notable progression Conquering strikes and defending them.

It was not Robertson’s turn

On Wednesday, we learned that Ian Foster had a new assistant in charge of the offense, and not just anyone. This is Joe Schmidt, former coach of the Ireland national team (2013-2019), who has remained an icon there. He also went through Claremont. He was already on the verge of selection, but as an advisor.

So he becomes a full deputy. We remember he found himself working in a match, winning the first Test against the Irish (22nd June) because Foster and his assistants were self-isolating due to Covid-19. On that day, New Zealand won 42-19.

Another parameter must also be taken into account. Sacking Ian Foster would have cost around NZ$2 million (€1 million).

This decision will be a big loser, Scott Robertson, the Crusaders coach (four Super Rugby on the clock) who has made no secret of his desire to test himself at the international level. Many New Zealanders feared he would be packing his bags for Europe, the club or why not, for a pick, which could be seen as a stab by many All Blacks supporters.

So Ian Foster will have to give a reason to shake the NZRU by avoiding mistakes during the next meetings. His program begins with two tests against the Pumas in Christchurch on August 27 and Hamilton on September 3.