'We'll have new voices and fresh ideas' - Ian Foster confirms his All Blacks' coaching staff

New All Blacks‘ head coach Ian Foster has today confirmed his panel of coaching staff after he was announced earlier this month as the successor to Steve Hansen.

Hurricanes head coach John Plumtree will join Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek and current defence coach Scott McLeod as Foster’s assistants in 2020. The coaches have been signed on two-year deals to align with Foster’s own commitment.

Plumtree will look after the forwards in the new coaching set-up alongside Feek who will be scrum coach while another coach will be announced in due course, widely speculated to be Scarlets head coach Brad Mooar who is weighing up whether to return back to New Zealand to take up the position.

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“I’m delighted to confirm three of the four other coaches who’ll make up our coaching team,” said Foster.

“They’re all outstanding coaches in their own right, and we’ll have new voices and fresh ideas in the All Blacks, which will be really stimulating for everyone, and help us grow as we enter a new era,” Foster said.

“John [Plumtree] is an experienced Head Coach with an extensive coaching background.

“He thinks like a head coach, and I really think in All Blacks its really important to have someone at that level who has got the ability to think strategically along those lines. He’s got a hard edge about him, he can’t wait to get back involved with the forwards.

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“He’s got a clear vision for our forwards and I believe he will quickly add value in the All Blacks environment.”

“Greg [Feek] has been involved in more than 100 Tests with Ireland and helped coach a successful Irish pack. For a young coach, he brings vast international experience. He’s got a great ‘tactical-technical’ sense and also a great way of communicating at the right level.”

Foster is also happy to have retained the services of defence coach Scott McLeod who has been in the current set-up for two years.

“Scott has already had almost two years in the All Blacks and has overseen a period of change in our defence structure and we’re getting better and better, so it’s a great opportunity for him to continue that and I’m expecting a big contribution from him.”

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