Fostering the Hansen legacy

– Ian Foster, above, has pledged to restore the All Blacks’ aura of invincibility as the former assistant coach was promoted to the top job, tasked with rebuilding the three-time world champions after a disappointing World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) opted for continuity in naming Foster, who was the preferred candidate of illustrious departing coach Steve Hansen, under whom he worked for eight years.

He beat main rival Scott Robertson to the job, despite the Crusaders mentor winning threestraight Super Rugby titles, with NZR saying Foster, 54, offered “fresh energy”.

Chairman Brent Impey said in a statement: “He brings worldclass international experience to the role, an incredibly strong coaching team and we think he’ll do an outstanding job.”

Foster, who has signed a twoyear contract – which stops short of the 2023 World Cup in France – said he was humbled to take over one of the most coveted roles in rugby.

He was pleased to step into the shoes of the “big fella” and wanted to build on Hansen’s legacy of a success rate approaching 90%.

“Obviously, we need to grow, we need to tweak, we didn’t get what we wanted in the last World Cup, losing that semifinal,” he said, referring to the 19-7 defeat by Eddie Jones’ England in Japan.

“I’m extremely passionate about adding a new touch, to really grow and get some mana back on the field, which we felt we’ve lost a little bit,” Foster added, using the Maori word for aura.

Despite working under Hansen during a period of outstanding All Blacks success, including winning the 2015 World Cup, Foster is a controversial choice for some Kiwi rugby fans.

Critics point to an uninspiring eight-year spell in charge of the Waikato Chiefs, when their best result was a losing appearance in the 2009 final.

NZR are gambling that he can maintain the success achieved under Hansen and repeat the smooth transition his predecessor made from assistant to head coach.

However, the fact that his contract does not run until the next World Cup may be a sign that NZR chiefs are hedging their bets.

Foster is widely seen as a conservative option, unlike the break-dancing Robertson.

His appointment comes as no surprise and follows a selection process that some pundits have described as deeply flawed. – AFP