Ospreys to use Foster's experience

The Ospreys have revealed that they will be welcoming Ian Foster, Head Coach of the Waikato Chiefs, to Wales as part of their ongoing coaching development programme.

The Ospreys have revealed that they will be welcoming Ian Foster, Head Coach of the Waikato Chiefs, to Wales as part of their ongoing coaching development programme.

Jonathan Humphreys and Andrew Millward both recently spent time in New Zealand as part of their preparations for the coming season, where they were able to learn from New Zealand's premier coaches.

And now Foster will spend three weeks with the Ospreys working closely with Humphreys and Millward, as well as other coaches in the region.

Foster has been in charge with the Chiefs since 2004 and has never seen his side finish lower than seventh in the Super Rugby standings. On top of that he has worked with Waikato, as well as occupying the position as Junior All Blacks Head Coach for two years.

“We are delighted to be able to invite a coach of Ian's stature and experience to spend time with us over the next few weeks, where he will be able to pass on some of his knowledge to our own coaching staff,” Ospreys Elite Performance Director Andrew Hore said.

“We've identified Ian as someone who has expertise in the areas of technical and tactical application and development, and I know that having met with Jonathan and Andrew on their trip, Ian is excited about the prospect of coming here and working within our set-up over the next three weeks, and in particular, working with two exciting young coaches in Sean (Holley) and Jonathan.

“Over the last four years, Ian has done an outstanding job of changing a culture, bringing together a number of provinces together under one banner in difficult circumstances so there are clear parallels between his experience at the Chiefs and where we are at the Ospreys.”

With the Ospreys still searching for a new Head Coach there is bound to be speculation that Foster is in Wales to see if he wants to take the position.

However Hore was quick to stress Foster's presence is purely for a development purpose and has no relevance to the ongoing search for a new coach.

“Ian is not in the frame for the Ospreys Head Coach, he is under contract with the NZRU and is not in consideration,” Hore stressed.

“His trip here is an agreed initiative between the Ospreys and the NZRU which will prove mutually beneficial, as not only will he be passing on his knowledge to our young coaches and assist with their development, but he will also get to experience a new rugby culture and get the rare opportunity to see for himself the day-to-day stresses of coaching in northern hemisphere rugby.”