Barrett: Continuity is important

All Blacks fullback Beauden Barrett has called for continuity in the coaching staff as the search for Steve Hansen’s successor ramps up.

Barrett is set to remain a key player moving forward having re-signed with New Zealand Rugby earlier this year, and it appears he would have no problem seeing Ian Foster step up to the top job.

‘‘I’ve really loved working with ‘Fozzie’ over the last eight years,’’ Barrett said at Auckland Airport. ‘‘He’s a very intelligent coach, he’s a great team man and hopefully we can have some continuity going forward.’’

The 28-year-old Blues-bound playmaker went on to praise Hansen, who handed him his All Blacks debut in 2012.

‘‘Steve legacy’s a very strong one – his win percentage speaks for itself,’’ Barrett added. ‘‘I think the biggest thing with Steve is the way he makes his players feel and that is one of trust and confidence. We know he 100 per cent has our back and as a player that’s all you can really ask for.’’

It was a low-key return home for the national side, with only smattering of fans waiting for them at the airport.

Barrett, a World Cup-winner in 2015, didn’t shy away from the fact the All Blacks failed to achieve their goal but was blown away by the support the team’s received from the Kiwi public.

‘‘I’m looking forward to heading home, unpacking the bags that I’ve been living out of for a while. But it’s great to have so much support here and since the semifinal it’s all been positive stuff. It’s great to reconnect with the people and just be home,’’ Barrett said.

Watching South Africa go on to glory could have potentially heightened feelings of ‘what could’ve been’ in the New Zealand camp.

But Barrett said they were happy to see the Springboks win and urged his team-mates to use their disappointment as fuel for the next campaign.

‘‘We’ll have to bottle up the feeling we felt after the English game and use it to drive us to be better for whatever it is, whether it’s Super Rugby or the next All Black game. But certainly in four years’ time, that’s when we need to make it count.’’