A Shocking Return? Ian Foster's Name is Dominating Headlines Amidst a Coaching Carousel!
Could we be seeing a familiar face back at the helm of the All Blacks? Reports are swirling that former head coach Ian Foster is a leading contender for a prominent coaching role in New Zealand, specifically within Auckland. This comes as a surprise to many, especially considering the rather tumultuous end to his previous tenure.
Currently, Foster is in Japan, coaching Toyota Verblitz alongside the legendary Sir Steve Hansen. However, it's being suggested that he was indeed approached to apply for the vacant All Blacks head coaching position following the recent dismissal of Scott Robertson. Imagine the narrative if Foster were to step back into the top job! It would certainly be a dramatic turn of events, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his departure. Remember, New Zealand Rugby had already announced Scott Robertson as his successor after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, even though Foster was reportedly close to being let go back in 2021. This creates a fascinating dynamic and raises questions about the stability and decision-making processes within New Zealand Rugby.
But here's where it gets even more interesting. While Dave Rennie and Jamie Joseph have also emerged as strong candidates for the head coaching role, there's a whisper that Foster might not be returning to the head coaching position at all. Instead, some sources suggest he could be eyed for a return to the All Blacks setup in his former capacity as an assistant coach. This would be a strategic move, perhaps leveraging his experience in a different capacity.
And this is the part most people miss: The Blues are also in the running! The Auckland-based Blues rugby team are actively seeking a new head coach, as Vern Cotter is set to depart for Australia to join the Queensland Reds next year. According to reports from The New Zealand Herald, both Ian Foster and former All Blacks assistant Jason Holland are on the Blues' radar to replace Cotter.
This pursuit by the Blues is particularly noteworthy because Dave Rennie, another potential candidate for the All Blacks job, had previously rejected advances from the Blues late last year before throwing his hat in the ring for the national team's top position. In fact, it's the second time in three years Rennie has turned down the Blues; he also declined their offer in 2024 when they were looking for a replacement for Leon MacDonald. The former Wallabies head coach remained tight-lipped about the possibility of coaching in Auckland, citing his loyalty to the Chiefs, a team he coached for six years.
When approached by the publication, Blues chief executive Karl Budge was reluctant to name names but confirmed that they are actively engaged in finding a new coach. He stated, "You always want to move quickly if we can. We’ve got some people we’re doing some homework on at the moment. We’ve got some people we’re starting to have some preliminary conversations with so we’ll want to keep moving on it. These things can be a distraction so we want to be clear with the playing group, clear with Vern, and make sure we’re doing our job off the field."
Now, let's talk about the current form. Ian Foster's stint with Toyota Verblitz in Japan hasn't been the smoothest. After seven rounds this season, the team has managed only one victory, suffering six consecutive losses. On the other hand, Jason Holland has rejoined the Hurricanes, preparing for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season after concluding his time with the All Blacks coaching staff late last year.
This whole situation is a fascinating puzzle. Are the All Blacks looking to bring back a familiar face, perhaps in a different role? Or will the Blues swoop in and secure a high-profile coach? And what does this say about the current coaching landscape in New Zealand rugby?
What are your thoughts? Do you believe Ian Foster is the right person to lead the All Blacks again, or perhaps a valuable asset as an assistant? Or should the Blues prioritize securing a coach like him? Let us know your opinions in the comments below! Do you agree that the rapid succession of coaching changes and potential returns indicate a period of instability, or is it simply a sign of a healthy, competitive coaching environment? We'd love to hear your perspective!
