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Ian Foster confirmed as new All Blacks coach on a two-year deal

Ian Foster is the All Blacks' new head coach.

 New Zealand Rugby confirmed the 54-year-old Foster's appointment, after eight years as assistant under Steve Hansen.


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

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

 "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.

 "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."

 Foster's last job as a head coach was at the Chiefs before Dave Rennie's successful reign. While Foster didn't have much success there, he has developed enormously with the All Blacks and the board has obviously decided that experience is too good to pass up.

 Following the All Blacks' semifinal failure against England at the recent World Cup in Japan, there is an echo of Foster's appointment in the re-signing of Sir Graham Henry and company following the 2007 World Cup flop at the quarter-final stage against France.

 Foster worked well with Hansen and wasn't afraid to challenge him occasionally, most obviously when insisting Rieko Ioane be given a chance for the All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions in 2017.

 Kiwi rugby fans have taken a swing at New Zealand Rugby over the appointment of new All Blacks coach Ian Foster.

 NZR confirmed the 54-year-old Foster's appointment today, 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.

 But many fans have disagreed with NZR's decision to stick with Foster over Robertson, who has been described as the "breath of fresh air" the All Blacks needed.

"YUCK, poor Robertson clearly the best coach and misses out to Ian Foster of all coaches. What a sham this whole process has been - Razor was no chance and the other 24 invited to apply knew they were no chance too. Id [sic] be gutted if he was coaching the chiefs bt [sic] nz," one fan posted on Twitter.

 "I am disappointed (but not surprised) to hear that Ian Foster will be the next All Blacks coach. NZRU are very risk averse which means more of the old guard. Hard luck Scott Robertson you would have been a breath of fresh air," another wrote.

SOURCE: RNZ

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