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Ian Foster nominated for World Rugby Coach of the Year
By Finn Morton
A lot has changed in 15 months for All Blacks coach Ian Foster. With New Zealand’s disastrous run of five losses from six starts now a distant memory, Foster has been nominated for World Rugby Coach of the Year.
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Coach Foster led the All Blacks to another Rugby Championship crown earlier this year, as well as the retention of the prestigious Bledisloe Cup against the Wallabies. But Foster’s finest hour came at the Rugby World Cup.
The All Blacks had been branded the “weakest” New Zealand team in history before the World Cup, but now they’re off to the final. New Zealand overcame Ireland in a thrilling quarter-final before recording a commanding win over Argentina a week later.
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New Zealand are off to the big dance. The All Blacks will face defending champions the Springboks in the final at Stade de France, with coach Jacques Nienaber also receiving a nomination.
Ireland’s Andy Farrell is also in the running after guiding Ireland to a staggering 17-Test unbeaten run, while Fiji’s Simon Raiwalui is the other contender.
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “All those nominated today deserve not only our congratulations but also our thanks for everything they have contributed, on and off the field, to inspire fans and players worldwide, driving rugby forward in 2023 in line with our sport’s values.
Knockout
11 - 12
Final
6 - 44
SF1
15 - 16
SF2
17 - 29
QF1
24 - 28
QF2
30 - 24
QF3
28 - 29
QF4
“The strength of rugby is its players, coaches, officials and volunteers, and these shortlists provide a vivid snapshot of a sport that is thriving globally in its 200th year.
Knockout
11 - 12
Final
6 - 44
SF1
15 - 16
SF2
17 - 29
QF1
24 - 28
QF2
30 - 24
QF3
28 - 29
QF4
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“One day after we crown the Rugby World Cup 2023 champions, we look forward once again to uniting our global family and presenting a wider cast of winners with the ultimate accolades in our sport – the World Rugby Awards.”
The award winners will be revealed on Sunday, October 29 – the day after the Rugby World Cup final – at the Opera Garnier in Paris.
The nominees for the other categories are:
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC
- Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
- Maddison Levi (Australia)
- Tyla Nathan-Wong (New Zealand)
- Reapi Ulunisau (Fiji)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in partnership with HSBC
- Leroy Carter (New Zealand)
- Rodrigo Isgro (Argentina)
- Marcos Moneta (Argentina)
- Akuila Rokolisoa (New Zealand)
International Rugby Players Men’s Try of the Year
- Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland, v England on 4 February)
- Damian Penaud (France, v Ireland on 11 February)
- Hugo Keenan (Ireland, France on 11 February)
- Vinaya Habosi (Fiji, v Georgia on 1 October)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey (France)
- Manie Libbok (South Africa)
- Mark Tele’a (New Zealand)
- Tamaiti Williams (New Zealand)
World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard
- Bundee Aki (Ireland)
- Antoine Dupont (France)
- Eben Etzebeth (South Africa)
- Ardie Savea (New Zealand)
Other categories being awarded on Sunday, 29 October
- Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service
- International Rugby Players Special Merit Award
- Rugby for All Award
- World Rugby Referee Award
- World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
Categories awarded following the conclusion of WXV
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year in partnership with Mastercard
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Dream Team of the Year in partnership with Capgemini
- World Rugby Women’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year in partnership with Tudor
- International Rugby Players Women’s Try of the Year
Have to hand it to fozzy, I haven't seen any other coach cop so much verbal abuse without reacting in a major way, on a personal side he has maintained his class, and self-respect in front of the cameras. It is odd when they allocate it to coach of the year and not coaching team when the rest of the team have so much involvement and input and say, as to whether the team is successful or not.
So basically, whoever wins on Saturday between SA and NZ gets world coach of the year?
Holding thumbs for Eben. Savea too. Although I think Eben will win it.
Maybe not, Andy Farrell would be a worthy winner.
Having the ABs make it to the final is an over achievement in my book, so hats off and well done to Fozzie, coaches and team for that. However this team was adrift last year and the only records were unwanted ones. New assistant coaches and changed selections since then. New props all forced due to injury, Fozzie actually said he wouldn't select Jordie at 12 but injuries forced it, which put BB into 15 full time and gave Mounga a proper run at 10. While I congratulate the team and Fozzie for getting to the final it doesn't really change my opinion that he wasn't the right guy for the job to start with. Best coach in the world? Sorry but no chance.
Rather delicious headline to be made; “Winning Coach of the Year, the Rugby Championship and making the RWC Final not enough to save Ian Fosters Job”. Submit your CVs online if you too enjoy being abused by the NRU and fellow kiwis. Imagine if the same levels of excellence were expected of the cast of that fantasy lobby group called The Breakdown..🤣
Not all criticism is abuse. It was the pressure from outside that sparked change, don’t forget that. Apathy is the death of NZ rugby.
You are right! It’s a tough job and coach cannot expect to keep it by winning 60% only
Making the RWC final was only due to a Joe Schmidt win over a distracted Ireland. That was scraped through. He is getting the nomination based on that one significant RWC win.
Schmidt and Ryan have made the biggest differences to this ABs team, making far bigger impacts than Foz has made by himself. In fact Ryan’s immediate impact when coming on board was remarkable. Foz has improved and is running a happy team, don’t get me wrong. But the fact these fundamental changes were forced on him, rather than him making them from his own strategic decisions and initiative, counts him out for me.
yes johnz correct and i daresay he didnt appreciate having these two coaches rammed down his throat dysfunctional ,resentment awkward for sure in the beginning, however with time in the trenches with the new team i believe foster eventually softened and admired what these guys brought almost instantly you could see extra steel any how foster i believe has realised his shortcomings and his strengths over his tumultuous 3 years his shortcomings for me lots leave it that,, his strengths, well i dont know that but what i do know is this team is UNIFIED 100% it is a cool calm happy family top to bottom and the top is fossie . shit yeah he deserves it alright (the nomination) hes adapted morphed who knows (the players know) on his watch he got us to a beautiful world cup final good luck fossie
NZs victory over Ireland was all Joe Schmidt
Any top coach needs qualified assistants too, e.g. Shaun Edwards. It’s a team effort. 4 years ago, there probably wasn’t quality assistant coaches going around like there are now, Ryan probably would’ve lacked a bit of experience, and Schmidt wasn’t available for that role.
Maybe it’s a little bit if a shame that they don’t get the credit they deserve from awards, but take nothing away from Fozzie, he’s always been a great attacking coach, and it’s no surprise that the 2 teams who made it to the finals weren’t the 2 top teams in terms of ranking, but the only teams to have World Cup winning experience in the coaching group, something AB’s will unfortunately miss out on for the next one. Innovation is great, experience is far too underrated.