Ian Foster has made a public plea to New Zealand Rugby to delay the appointment process of the next head coach to give the All Blacks the best chance at the 2023 World Cup.
On Tuesday, Foster claimed in the New Zealand media that NZR would like to finalise the appointment of the new All Blacks head coach by April.
NZR has reported to be “scrambling” to secure a candidate, in the fear of losing out on either Scott Robertson or Jamie Joseph, who they believe would be in demand post-World Cup.
However, Foster feels that an early move to sign his potential successor is an unnecessary distraction for the All Blacks’ campaign in France.
“For the last couple of months I have been watching this discussion about the All Blacks coaching process play out publicly,” Foster told the New Zealand Herald.
“The job that I currently hold and have currently been backed by this board to do through to the World Cup.
“Those conversations are best had after a World Cup when everyone is clear and we have the latest data and we know where the team is at and then the board and everyone can make the decision with all the data on the table.
“In the meantime, we have got a management team and a coaching group that is fully committed to one goal, which is the World Cup and not trying to position themselves into where they fit in next year’s regime.
“For me, it is an unnecessary burden that you put on your own shoulders that we don’t need,” Foster added. “Why give a sucker a chance. There is no need to do that. For me it is quite simple, let us prepare 100 per cent for this World Cup.”
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