Ian Foster ‘mooted’ to reclaim All Blacks job as NZ Rugby ‘approach’ Sir Steve Hansen
Former All Blacks head coaches Ian Foster and Sir Steve Hansen.
New Zealand Rugby’s search for Scott Robertson’s successor continues with the union gauging the interest of two former All Blacks head coaches.
That is according to a report by the New Zealand Herald, which states that Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster have been approached by the union.
Following the dismissal of Robertson, NZ Rugby have advertised the vacancy, setting out strict requirements with prospective coaches needing to be a New Zealander and have international head coach experience.
NZ Rugby reach out to two former head coaches
This has led many to believe that Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie were the only two coaches in the running for the All Blacks job, having coached Japan and Australia, respectively.
John Mitchell and Vern Cotter would both meet the requirements but have been ruled out of the running, with the former extending his contract as the England women’s head coach, while the latter is set to take over from Les Kiss as the Queensland Reds boss in 2027.
According to The Herald, Hansen and Foster are among the coaches who have been approached to apply for the role, either directly or through their representatives.
It’s yet to be seen whether either of the former head coaches would be interested in taking on the position, particularly because it is reported that Foster did not expect NZ Rugby to reach out to him.
“No, I can’t see it happening,” he reportedly told DSPN’s Martin Devlin when asked whether he thought NZ Rugby would be reaching out.
He also predicted that Joseph would be the man getting the job and thought that the union would be looking to recruit Tony Brown too, whether that happened now or once his contract with SA Rugby expires after the 2027 World Cup.
There is a lot of bad blood with Foster and the union after he came close to being sacked midway through his contract in 2022, as the board were eager to get Robertson into the role before the 2023 World Cup. Ultimately, Foster was saved by the All Blacks players and would lead the side through to the World Cup final, where they were beaten by the Springboks.
In 46 Tests as head coach, Foster won 32, drew two, and had a win percentage of just under 70.
David Campese’s ‘sad’ verdict on ‘bizarre’ All Blacks crisis which is ‘not good for the game’
Foster to lead the All Blacks attack again?
He is currently working alongside Hansen at Japanese club Toyota Verblitz, who have endured a tough season, winning just one of their opening six games of the 2025/26 campaign.
66-year-old Hansen may be struggling in Japan this season, but he boasts an incredibly impressive international head coach CV. He won the 2015 Rugby World Cup with the team after working as an assistant under Graham Henry in the tournament prior, which the All Blacks also won. He took charge of 107 Tests as head coach, winning 93, drawing four for a win rate of 86.92 per cent.
The report adds that Foster has been mooted for a return to his previous role as assistant coach, particularly if Joseph were to win the race for the head coaching position. He was the team’s attack coach during the Hansen era and could take up the role again with Brown remaining with South Africa.
With Joe Schmidt out of the running due to his commitments and loyalty to Rugby Australia for this World Cup cycle, the remaining coaches who fit the criteria set by NZ Rugby include Robbie Deans, Warren Gatland, Wayne Pivac and Kieran Crowley.
