After taking some time off in 2024 to consider on the conclusion of his All Blacks head coaching career, Ian Foster is back in coaching.
After a turbulent four years in charge, the coach’s final act in black was dismissing Ireland on their way to a Rugby World Cup final defeat, coming very close to completing a redemption arc.
Foster worked as Sir Steve Hansen’s assistant for eight years before to taking over as head coach. He is currently back together with Hansen at Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
Foster knew exactly what he was getting into when he put his hand up to be Hansen’s successor because of those years spent out of the spotlight. While he did anticipate many problems in the post, unforeseen circumstances like a pandemic presented additional difficulties.
The 59-year-old is now contentedly beginning his next phase in Japan while taking a moderate attitude to the past.
He said on Martin Devlin’s DSPN podcast, “There was a lot going on during my time as an All Black coach, and certainly there were pressures there that were probably a little bit unique to perhaps what other All Blacks coaches have had to go through; Covid and other things.”
“You spend a lot of time thinking back on it and analysing how we handled things, but I believe we left the All Blacks in a good place knowing that we had the complete support of a group of men that wanted to go and accomplish something really great.
“I believe that this was an All Black team that had the potential to develop and become even bigger and better, and I think that many of the younger players who came through in that World Cup will be there at the next World Cup and that probably got a little lost in translation at the end of 2023.” Let’s hope that’s where they end up.
In 2024, the squad concluded with 10 victories and 4 defeats, spearheaded by youthful players including as prop Tyrel Lomax, 24-year-old lock Tupou Vaa’i, and rookie Wallace Sititi, who were nominated for All Blacks Player of the Year.
Players like Vaa’i, Tamaiti Williams, and Cam Roigard, who are all aiming for, if not currently enjoying, international stardom, undoubtedly profited from the World Cup experience.
Foster’s early support of those players has surely placed them in a strong position for success. But during his tenure, the coach’s position in the team’s future appeared far from assured.
Following a home series loss to Ireland and the replacement of two important members of his coaching staff, Foster’s career was in jeopardy during the 2022 Rugby Championship as suspicion mounted as results failed. Following a victory in South Africa, New Zealand Rugby announced at a news conference that they will continue to support Foster until the World Cup. However, they selected Scott Robertson to succeed him seven months before the World Cup.
Foster, who replaced Hansen in a process that started after the 2019 Rugby World Cup, was outspoken in his criticism of the decision’s timing.
“What matters most is that I’ve moved on. Foster thought, “I think it’s really important to not let things that you can’t control control you.”
“Something occurred, and people behaved in ways that I didn’t agree with. I believe it was very obvious to everyone that I didn’t agree with them.
You really only need to express what you have to say and then go about your business. I was adamant about not letting other people’s choices alter who I was.
Have I moved on, then? I have, indeed. Have I forgotten everything? Most likely, I haven’t. However, that is most likely for another day.
