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Steve Hansen weighs in on potential replacement Ian Foster

All Black coach Steve Hansen (L) and assistant coach Ian Foster (R). Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images
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Steve Hansen will not be involved in the search to find his replacement as All Blacks head coach after announcing he will step down after the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew confirmed the national body would not begin the search for a new coach until after the World Cup, so as to not distract from the campaign at the showpiece tournament.

However, Hansen gave All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster a glowing review Friday’s press conference – but was unable to endorse him as his successor.

“I think he’d be a great head coach,” Hansen said of Foster. “He’s developed as a coach, and as a man. He’s got some great qualities, and his understanding of the game is great.

“But I don’t think it’s right I sit here and say this guy should do the job or that guy should do the job. That’s the Rugby Union’s job.

“I’ve got my opinions, but for one of the very few times in my life I’ll probably keep that to myself because I don’t think it’s right for the process.”

Hansen also offered his opinion on whether international experience was a requirement when looking at potential candidates.

“If you get the right person it doesn’t matter what they’ve done,” said Hansen. “I hear you guys go on about that a fair bit, you haven’t coached overseas or you haven’t done anything in Super Rugby.

“The best coach in the world at the moment in Joe Schmidt, World Rugby’s choice, he lost his job at the Blues, yet he’s developed and grown to become an outstanding coach.

“I hear things about Fozzie (Foster), that he didn’t win anything at the Chiefs, but that’s because the Crusaders were winning everything at the time. Those things are irrelevant.

“I go back to my own career. I’ve got both records: I’ve lost the most tests in a row and won the most. One day I’m a poor coach and another I’m a great coach. Things change and you evolve. You’ve just got to trust the process and trust [NZ Rugby} will do what’s right for the team.”

Hansen has been with the All Blacks since 2004, assuming the head coach role in 2012 after Sir Graham Henry left the side following the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

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Phantom 39 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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