New Zealand Rugby announce Ian Foster as new All Blacks head coach

Ian Foster has been appointed the new head coach of the All Blacks, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) has announced today.

54-year-old Foster will now lead the All Blacks into a new era, after eight years as assistant coach of the team.

In making the announcement, NZR Chairman Brent Impey said Foster had come through as the preferred candidate following a lengthy and robust interview process.

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“The NZR Board has today ratified Ian Foster as the new head coach of the All Blacks from 2020. He brings world-class international experience to the role, an incredibly strong coaching team, and we think he’ll do an outstanding job.”

Impey said Foster had been appointed for a two-year period.

“The interview process was extensive and really difficult, which reflects the very strong applications from both candidates.”

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

“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 and are a diverse group of thinkers.

“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, I want to congratulate Ian on his appointment, and we wish him well for this next phase in the All Blacks’ story,” Impey said.

Outgoing @AllBlacks coach Steve Hansen has handed out some free advice for his imminent successor.https://t.co/U8AAjFDodn

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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.

“It’s incredibly humbling to be appointed to the job and I have a strong desire to serve the jersey well and represent New Zealand to the best of my ability.”

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Incoming NZR chief executive Mark Robinson also congratulated Foster, saying he had impressed the panel.

“These are exciting times.  Ian has pulled together a very strong team and he is an outstanding person in his own right with a high-quality set of values.

“He is committed to stamping his own mark on the team and it’s clear that he and his coaching team want to bring a new and fresh energy into the All Blacks environment.”

Robinson has also acknowledged Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson, who also interviewed for the role.

“As someone who knows ‘Razor’ well as a former teammate, he was a very impressive candidate and these decisions are never easy.  We know Razor is an outstanding coach and I have no doubt he’ll have a big future in our game at international level.”

The appointment panel for the head coach position was made up of Impey, Robinson, NZR head of high performance Mike Anthony, former All Blacks head coach and NZR Life Member Sir Graham Henry and former Silver Ferns Coach and High Performance Sport New Zealand director Waimarama Taumaunu.

– New Zealand Rugby

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