Ian Foster (rugby union)

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Ian Foster
CNZM
Richie McCaw signing autograph next to Webb Ellis Cup and Ian Foster (2015 RWC All Blacks victory parade in Wellington).jpg
Foster with Richie McCaw during the 2015 Rugby World Cup victory parade
Full nameIan Douglas Foster
Date of birth (1965-05-01) 1 May 1965 (age 59)
Place of birth Putāruru, New Zealand
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
School The Taieri High School
Forest View High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fly-half
Current team New Zealand (head coach)
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1985–1998 Waikato 148 (322)
1996–1998 Chiefs 26 (167)
Correct as of 14 May 2023
Coaching career
YearsTeam
2002–2003 Waikato
2004–2011 Chiefs
2005–2007 Junior All Blacks
2012–2019 New Zealand (assistant)
2020–2023 New Zealand
Correct as of 14 May 2023

Ian Douglas Foster CNZM (born 1 May 1965) is a New Zealand professional rugby union coach and former player. He coached New Zealand to the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where they lost to South Africa.

Contents

He played as a fly-half for a number of New Zealand clubs, namely Waikato and the Chiefs. Foster started his coaching career with Waikato. He also contributed to New Zealand's victory in the 2015 Rugby World Cup as an assistant coach. [1] In 2025 Foster was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby. [2]

Playing career

During Foster's playing career he made 148 appearances for Waikato, a union record. He also played 28 games for the Chiefs. [3] [4]

Foster also played for the NZRFU President’s XV in 1995.

Coaching career

Waikato

Foster was the head coach of Waikato for 2002 and 2003. In 2002, Waikato finished first after the round robin stage with eight wins from nine games, but ultimately lost the final to Auckland 28-40. [5]

In the 2003 season Waikato were second behind Otago after the round robin standings with six wins from nine games. They then lost their home semi-final 29-30 to Wellington. [6]

Overall, Foster's coaching record with Waikato was 15 wins from 21 games.

Chiefs

In 2004, Foster took over as head coach of the Waikato-based Super Rugby team the Chiefs, with the following results:

Under Foster's coaching, the Chiefs made the Super Rugby finals in 2004 and the final in 2009 and had a 50% win ratio. [7]

All Blacks

In 2011, Foster became an assistant coach and selector for the All Blacks under newly-appointed head coach Steve Hansen, [8] a position which he held until after the 2019 Rugby World Cup. During his time as assistant coach, the All Blacks won 93 of 108 tests (losing in just ten), [9] and won the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

In December 2019, Foster was named the new head coach of the All Blacks, replacing Hansen, [10] alongside assistants John Plumtree, Greg Feek, and Scott McLeod. [11] He also announced Sam Cane as the new All Blacks captain. [12]

In 2022, Foster came under increasing pressure after the All Blacks were defeated in a test series for the first time by Ireland. [13] Foster's assistants Plumtree and Brad Mooar were sacked and replaced by Jason Ryan, with Foster taking on the backs coaching role and former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt joining as an advisor. [14] Following a disappointing 26-10 loss to South Africa, [15] the All Blacks losing run stood at 5 losses in their last 6 tests. The All Blacks bounced back with a comprehensive victory at Ellis Park against South Africa, [16] which might have saved Foster's job. [17] After a review, and support from many of the All Blacks squad, [18] New Zealand Rugby opted to back Foster until the 2023 World Cup. [19] Two weeks later, the All Blacks lost to Argentina in Christchurch, the first time Argentina had defeated the All Blacks in New Zealand. [20]

In March 2023, it was announced that Scott Robertson would be taking over the All Blacks coaching position in 2024. [21] In August, just weeks before the 2023 World Cup, Foster's All Blacks suffered the biggest test defeat in All Blacks history, losing 35-7 (a 28 point margin) against South Africa. [22] [23]

Personal life

Foster's daughter Michaela Foster is a professional soccer player. [24]

Honours

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References

  1. ↑ "Rugby: Ian Foster reveals wife's hilarious reaction to All Blacks coach announcement". New Zealand Herald. 12 December 2019.
  2. ↑ "New Year Honours List 2025 - Citations for Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 31 December 2024. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
  3. ↑ Ian Foster named All Blacks assistant coach Stuff.co.nz, 23 December 2011
  4. ↑ Foster new All Black assistant coach NZ Herald, 23 December 2011
  5. ↑ "2002 NPC".
  6. ↑ "2003 NPC".
  7. ↑ RugbyPass 12 December 2019
  8. ↑ RNZ News 16 April 2011
  9. ↑ "Rugby: 10 things to know about new All Blacks coach Ian Foster". NZ Herald. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Ian Foster named Steve Hansen's successor as All Blacks head coach". Guardian. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  11. ↑ "FOSTER CONFIRMS BULK OF COACHING TEAM". allblacks.com. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "SAM CANE NAMED ALL BLACKS CAPTAIN". allblacks.com. 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 7 May 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  13. ↑ "'I'm ashamed': Former All Black speaks out on 'disturbing' Foster comments".
  14. ↑ Napier, Liam (24 July 2022). "'I'm feeling for two fine men': All Blacks axe Brad Mooar, John Plumtree, add Jason Ryan". NZ Herald. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  15. ↑ "All Blacks slump to 26-10 defeat against Springboks in Mbombela". Stuff. 7 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  16. ↑ "All Blacks get famous victory over Springboks at Ellis Park". NZ Herald. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  17. ↑ "All Blacks score two late tries against Springboks to blown open TRC and save Foster's job". Fox Sports. 14 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  18. ↑ Powell, Alex (16 August 2022). "Rugby: All Blacks coach Ian Foster finds support, empathy from Black Ferns counterpart Wayne Smith". Newshub. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  19. ↑ "Ian Foster retained as All Blacks coach". ESPN Scrum. ESPN. 17 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "Argentina stun New Zealand with historic Rugby Championship victory". The Guardian. 27 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  21. ↑ "All Blacks coach revealed: Scott Robertson to lead side from 2024". NZ Herald. 21 March 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  22. ↑ "All Blacks suffer heaviest defeat in history to Springboks in London". Stuff. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  23. ↑ "South Africa demolish indisciplined New Zealand as Scott Barrett sees red". The Guardian. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  24. ↑ "All Blacks coach beams as his daughter Michaela makes her New Zealand debut - Taipei Times". www.taipeitimes.com. 22 February 2023.
Sporting positions
Preceded by All Blacks coach
2019–2023		Succeeded by
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