Leading Under Pressure

The inside story of Ian Foster's four seasons as All Blacks coach.

Ian Foster was the All Blacks coach the nation seemingly never wanted.

Appointed in 2019, Foster led the All Blacks through one of the most tumultuous periods of the team's 120-year history. Dramatic changes in world rugby during the pandemic, the suspension of Super Rugby, and a civil war between the players and New Zealand Rugby became the background to Foster's tenure.

When the All Blacks found themselves on a streak that saw them post just one win in six tests between November 2021 and June 2022, Foster believed he was going to be sacked after the test against South Africa at Ellis Park, but against all predictions, the All Blacks won, the senior players lobbied the chief executive, and the coach was granted a last-minute reprieve.

Despite expectations, the All Blacks would go on to make the final of the world cup, beating world #1 Ireland in the quarter-final, and losing in the final by one point in a dramatic 12-11 loss to South Africa after the All Blacks captain was controversially sent off in the 28th minute.

This is a fascinating look into the pressure cooker inner-sanctum of the world's most high profile rugby team. Not only does it contain explosive revelations about Foster's time in the job, but it delves deep into the background and character of a coach to show how he coped with an impossible situation and yet came out with the nation's respect and his reputation enhanced.