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Ian Foster's new youthful coaching team set to raise a few eyebrows

Ian Foster with Ben Smith's son, Walter. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

NZ Herald

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The men set to work under the helm of new All Blacks head coach Ian Foster are all but set.

And it would appear hopes of recruiting Joe Schmidt in an assistant role are all but over.

NZR today confirmed Foster’s appointment as head coach, after eight years as assistant under Steve Hansen.

Foster saw off a strong challenge from Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson and has been given a two-year deal.

NZR Chairman Brent Impey said Foster would be joined by four other coaches, who will be announced in due course.

Continue reading below…

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Last month, the Herald reported that Foster was trying to unite Hurricanes coach John Plumtree and Schmidt to join Scott McLeod on his ticket.

Schmidt has only said he intends to remain in Ireland to take a break from the game until June – a timeframe that would, potentially, leave him free to join the All Blacks coaching ranks for their next test series in July.

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But rugby expert Scotty Stevenson has reported that Brad Mooar and Greg Feek are instead likely to join Plumtree and Foster, as well as Scott McLeod and David Hill, who are part of the current set-up.

Foster remained tight-lipped on the makeup of his coaching team when asked at a press conference in Auckland today.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B56hK9bgsEj/

“I can’t wait to tell you but I just can’t. As soon as we can, we will,” Foster said.

“I’ve got guys that are willing to challenge and I’ve got fresh voices in there that I think are going to really help us look at the game, to look at what we’re doing and add spice to it.

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“I know they’re buzzing and there’s a bit of youth there, there’s a bit of overseas experience and there’s a bit of hardness in that group all designed to take this team to a new level.”

Impey described the mystery team as a “diverse group of thinkers.”

“While we can’t confirm the full make-up of the coaching team today, we’re delighted with the quality they bring ? they have a wide range of coaching experiences,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Foster said he was humbled to be selected as head coach.

“I feel truly privileged and honoured to be given this opportunity and I can’t wait to lead the team into the next chapter of what is a remarkable legacy,” he said.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the All Blacks over the last eight years and I’m excited and energised by a new coaching team who will join me.”

This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and is republished with permission.

Former Chiefs hooker Liam Polwart has been forced into an early retirement:

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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