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A two-year contract for Ian Foster keeps the door ajar for Warren Gatland
After weeks of anticipation, Ian Foster was confirmed on Wednesday as the man to succeed Steve Hansen as All Blacks head coach.
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In a two-horse race with Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, New Zealand Rugby opted to appoint from within, as Foster had been Hansen’s assistant for the past eight years. Hansen himself worked under Graham Henry, and took over after the 2011 Rugby World Cup triumph.
Having won the past three Super Rugby titles, Robertson looked to be the favourite to land the prized job, and there have been plenty of surprised faces at the decision.
However, one thing that some have picked up on is the length of Foster’s contract only being two years. This has led to some speculation, particularly regarding incoming Chiefs head coach Warren Gatland.
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The former Waikato hooker has returned to New Zealand to coach after twelve years in charge of Wales. However, he is to take charge of his third British and Irish Lions tour in 2021 against the world champions South Africa. This is a commitment that he would not back out of, which therefore ruled him out of the All Blacks job.
Well, 2 years as they wait for Warren Gatland ??. At least The Crusaders get to keep Razor https://t.co/WUQq5J969G
— Kevin Gisore (@KevenGisore) December 11, 2019
Great news for anyone keen to see Warren Gatland appointed as All Blacks coach after the next Lions tour. https://t.co/xlgD2iSrqp
— Winston Aldworth (@WinstonAldworth) December 11, 2019
So it looks like Warren Gatland will be the All Blacks head coach in the 2023 world cup.
— Mathew ?? (@MatNewton) December 11, 2019
While Gatland will still be with the Chiefs when 2021 rolls around, his time with the Lions will be over, and that is conveniently the point when Foster’s contract expires. This obviously provides an opportunity for Gatland to take over the All Blacks for the two years leading up to the 2023 RWC in France.
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2 years…I cant help but feel NZR are still holding onto hope for Warren Gatland. 2 years takes him beyond the Lions tour, a role he'd never give up for anyone. 2022 would see him back with the Chiefs and probably open for promotion ? #AllBlacks
— Rugby Globe (@Rugby_Globe) December 11, 2019
2 yr contract.
Smacks of stop gap.. either that or gives the impression that the NZRU arent too sure if he's the right man long term.!!
— ?Phil; Hearts on my Sleeve.???? (@A_Guy_on_Here) December 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/JFitzpatrick92/status/1204702272644689922?s=20
Of course, this would be dependent on the success that Foster has as a coach, as it would be nonsensical to replace him if he looks to be the right man for the job, but it looks like NZR are covering all bases here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B56acdWgHt7/
All that being said, Foster’s contract mirrors what Steve Hansen signed on for when he came on board in 2012. Hansen was originally contracted until the end of 2013 but extended his contract after a successful start to his tenure.
Although some have described the 54-year-old as a stop-gap, it is more than likely that he will be a successful head coach, particularly as he has been part of the All Blacks during a golden era, and therefore can provide a seamless transition from Hansen’s spell and maintain many of his successful structures. However, this does mean the door is not shut on Gatland either.
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Comments on RugbyPass
SBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
6 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
11 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
11 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
3 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
6 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
11 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
11 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
3 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
3 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
11 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
11 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
11 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
11 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
11 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
11 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to comments