CNN
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Head coach Ian Foster will lead the All Blacks until at least next year’s World Cup, New Zealand Rugby announced at a press conference on Wednesday after a series of poor performances put his future in jeopardy.
“It’s a privilege to hold this position, it’s never something you take for granted,” Foster said, thanking the board for their “strong support.”
In recent weeks, the All Blacks have lost a home streak for the first time in nearly three decades after falling to Ireland, fell to a historic low of fifth in the world rankings and suffered three straight defeats, leaving Foster’s position at the helm of rugby’s dominant side. increasingly threatened.
“It’s clearly been a tough time,” Foster said. “At the start of this campaign we didn’t get what we wanted to get against Ireland and that created performance stress. It’s part of my job and I expect to be grilled in this space.
The team’s historic dominance has been such that the recent three-game losing streak is the team’s first since 1998, sparking a wave of media criticism in New Zealand.
A spectacular victory on Saturday against world champions South Africa somewhat stemmed the tide and appeared to have granted Foster a reprieve.
“Some of the milestones we’ve seen in recent weeks give us huge confidence for the future,” said New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson.
“We had some really fantastic conversations with [Foster]… We support [the staff] until the World Cup. »
In support of Foster, the board announced that former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt would be promoted from his role as an independent coach to full-time assistant coach.
“Joe Schmidt has been on my radar, probably for a few years,” Foster said, adding that the two coaches had a “great relationship.”
The All Blacks will then take to the pitch on August 27 when they take on Argentina in the Rugby League.
