To get behind team, Hart says

and in support of their coach.

‘‘The introduction of Joe Schmidt on a more direct basis is an outstanding addition to the coaching team. And now with Foster and having two worldclass assistants in Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt, I don’t think you can get much better.’’

Asked if the backing of the players played a big role in Foster keeping his job, Hart said: ‘‘You’ve got to be careful as there’s always the view that the players have a vested interest in having the coach that is picking them, but there’s a lot of maturity in those senior players as the sort of guys that were standing out and talking.

‘‘David Havili,

Sam

Whitelock, Ardie Savea — they’ve been around a long while and they will want what is best for the All Blacks and to win.

‘‘They obviously have confidence in Ian Foster and I know they have a lot of confidence in Jason Ryan and certainly Joe Schmidt.’’

Hart also spoke out against the ‘‘awful’’ backlash Foster and the All Blacks have received during their recent decline, during which they have lost five of their past seven tests.

He said comments made towards Foster are ‘‘not New Zealand’’.

‘‘You’d have to say it takes a toll. There’s no way that would not be affecting him and his family and his friends. I’ve seen some of the vitriol and some of the social media. It’s been awful. It’s not New Zealand.

‘‘We’ve become too negative as a country. We love the All Blacks, they typify what we are. Yeah sure, none of us were happy that they were losing tests but the personal attacks and what has followed I just don’t think that’s New Zealand.

‘‘I’ve been very disappointed and strongly in support of helping Ian Foster through that. I do know what it’s like.’’