With three defeats in the last five matches and an intense press campaign against him, the case was not won for the 57-year-old coach.

But Foster was undoubtedly helped by the last convincing performance of New Zealand, victorious on Saturday from South Africa (35-23) in Johannesburg, during the second day of the Rugby Championship.

"I absolutely want to emphasize that Ian Foster, as head coach, and Mark (Robinson), as general manager, both have the full support" of the board of directors, said Wednesday after a meeting Stewart Mitchell, president of New Zealand Rugby (NZR), the New Zealand federation.

"A privilege"

Relieved, Ian Foster thanked the NZR board and Mark Robinson for their "strong support".

"It's a privilege to hold this position, it's never something you take for granted," he said.

Foster will therefore be in charge of the New Zealand XV for the next home match against Argentina on August 27 in Christchurch, as part of the third day of the Rugby Championship, and (theoretically) until the World Cup in France in September 2023.

On Wednesday, however, the New Zealand Federation announced a significant change in coaching, with the appointment of ex-Irish coach Joe Schmidt as coach in charge of the backs.

A time tipped to succeed Ian Foster, Schmidt, soon to be 57, has also officiated in the past at Leinster and Clermont, where he won the title of champion of France as assistant in 2010.

He had been called in as reinforcement by the NZR last June to act as an interim when Foster was positive for Covid-19 and had since had no official title within the New Zealand staff.

Unity

Ian Foster was under heavy pressure after back-to-back defeats at home to Ireland last month, followed by a heavy defeat against South Africa, at the opening of the Rugby Championship, a competition bringing together the four leading nations of the southern hemisphere .

Sunday, Robinson had thus refused to publicly support Foster, even after the revenge obtained by the All Blacks against South Africa the day before in Johannesburg (35-23).

But Ian Foster assured not to hold any resentment from this episode.

"In a way, it's also part of Robo's (Robinson) and Stew's (Mitchell) job to criticize me," he said.

"I wish it weren't, but we live in the real world and we're under pressure to perform. I don't mind that," he added.

After Saturday's victory, Foster had received support from players like Ardie Savea and captain Sam Cane.

His predecessor Steve Hansen had also recently given him strong support, blaming the leaders of New Zealand rugby.

"I don't think they are doing their job properly," he tackled at the end of July.

Urged as such to resign by some media, Mark Robinson insisted on Tuesday on the current unity within the various components of the All Blacks.

"We're really excited about (...) the changes we've seen and some of the adjustments Foster" has made, he said.

"We believe - at board, executive and player level - that together we support this."

© 2022 AFP