Ian Foster reveals why ABs news was a secret

PETER DRURY/Fairfax NZ

BACKS COACH: Backs coach: Ian Foster says the last management team will be a hard act to follow but he plans to inject his own flavour into the mix.

PETER DRURY/Fairfax NZ

BACKS COACH: Backs coach: Ian Foster says the last management team will be a hard act to follow but he plans to inject his own flavour into the mix.

Relevant offers

All Blacks

Moneyball's mantra helped ABs win World Cup Former All Blacks captain Tom Willis retires All Blacks to play at La Plata against Argentina Ian Foster reveals why ABs news was a secret Steve Hansen recruits old mate McLean on merit Fox 'on the outside looking in' for All Blacks Ian Foster named All Blacks assistant coach Hansen has much to prove as All Blacks coach Aussie McLean to be added to ABs coaching team Headgear won't protect players from concussion

It was one of the worst-kept secrets in New Zealand rugby and new All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster revealed why at his Hamilton home yesterday.

Foster and head coach Steve Hansen have been discussing the possibility of working together as All Blacks coaches for a year and a half.

But the man, who coached the Chiefs for eight years and becomes the second Waikato coach to have a role with the All Blacks in the last decade after John Mitchell, is adamant it was never a done deal until he was finally told he had got the job last Friday.

That is despite him making no visible moves to take up another coaching role either in New Zealand or overseas since stepping down from the Chiefs earlier this year.

"We've talked about it for probably 18 months or so but only to the point that we've discussed the compatibility and how it would look," Foster said.

"At the end of the day you never quite know what's going to present itself so it's been an interesting time sitting back the last couple of months, watching the World Cup, seeing what was going to eventuate and then seeing whether Steve was going to get the job and then whether his group was going to get accepted."

Foster, new defence coach Aussie McLean and selector Grant Fox were all appointed without being interviewed by the New Zealand Rugby Union board.

Instead, Foster said Hansen had put the case for their appointment on their behalf.

"Steve is the one who has really had to go through the whole process of presenting everything," Foster said

"I've done a lot of homework and research in behind the scenes for Steve, figuring out how we fit together, but it was really his job to present that to the [New Zealand Rugby Union] board and the board have accepted that."

Foster, who was yesterday heading off for a short Christmas break with his wife Leigh and their three children after he had completed his media commitments, said his family were thrilled at his appointment.

"They've been very supportive – my parents, my wife and kids have been awesome. They're excited and I guess it will hit home next year when the tests start, the pressure that goes with it, but for the kids it means they get to stay in New Zealand a little bit longer which is good for them."

evan.pegden@waikatotimes.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News