Interview by David Dybman
He took the time, for Le Figaro, to give his first interview to a French media. ON the phone from his home in Hamilton. Serene and determined, sometimes even mischievous, Ian Foster, assistant to the All Blacks' coach for eight years, did not shy away from any question. Sincere confidences a few days before joining Paris to attend, from March 3 to 5, the second annual symposium on the health and safety of players.
LE FIGARO. After eight years behind the scenes as an All Blacks assistant coach, you're in the spotlight for the next two seasons. What was your feeling when you were appointed on December 11?
Ian FOSTER: Becoming a coach is a huge source of pride. When I applied, my goal was to advance New Zealand rugby, to present a project that I thought was right. I have never seen this as a competition with so and so. I can't wait to start this new chapter.
MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT | Ian Foster is the new Head Coach of the All Blacks.
FULL STORY https://t.co/Z9LrFJt9m0#AllBlackspic.twitter.com/nKTzmUMq1H
Before talking about the future, let's go back to this World Cup with this failure in the semi-final against England (19-7). Is he now behind you?
Yes and no. This World Cup should definitely be behind me. Unfortunately, it is still very much in my memory. Today we must start again on solid foundations having learned the lessons of what happened against England. We have time until our next match in July ( 4th against Wales, editor's note ) to work, to rebuild. We must be stimulated by these challenges that lie ahead, not be afraid of them. The All Blacks must regain their standing.
This World Cup started on a very good basis, however, with a victory against South Africa (23-13) ...
This victory put us on the right track. Then there was the cancellation of the match against Italy due to a typhoon which allowed us to enjoy an extra week of preparation before our quarter-final against Ireland (46-14 victory). It was a special match, either for us or for them. The Irish team was the only European team ( apart from the selection of the British Lions in 2017, editor's note ) to have beaten us since 2013. We knew what we had to do.
" Despite what I have read, we did not take England lightly "
What happened in the semi-final against England?
The observation is simple, we lost to a very good English team. We have not succeeded in putting the same intensity into it as against Ireland. When you lose, you can find thousands of excuses. In the end, the result is there. Before this meeting, none of our players had ever lost a World Cup match ( the All Blacks won it in 2011 and 2015, editor's note )… But the important thing today is above all not to lose faith in what you want to produce.
Looking back, did you find the reasons for this defeat?
Despite what I read, we did not take our opponent lightly. We were well prepared for this meeting. Everything was decided on details. Some little things weren't enough, in melee or touch for example. On this meeting, the English were simply the best. This defeat must serve us for the future.
READ ALSO: World Cup: hangover and questions among the All Blacks
What have you learned from it?
There are several things that we will have to review. We have to approach certain games differently. Know better how to play the teams that want to take us largely on the physical level. More and more teams have only one objective: to make us thwart. We have to find the way and adapt. Facing England, we seemed to be surprised when this should not have been the case.
" I don't wake up every morning and say that I have a lot of pressure on my shoulders "
You are in the skin of the coach, an exciting challenge but also a big pressure ...
I know there is a lot of waiting on the part of a whole people but I do not wake up every morning saying to myself that I have a huge pressure on the shoulders. Rather telling me that I have a lot of work with beautiful deadlines coming. I feel privileged to be in this position. Pressure yes, but also a lot of excitement. Today we are no longer number 1 in the world and it hurts ( South Africa occupies this rank, note ). We want to be the best again.
How do you plan to go about it?
We will of course keep this will to attack that characterizes us so much while trying to incorporate new features. In defense, we need to be even more focused. We must be able to respond throughout the match to the physical game that our opponents will impose on us. I want us to be able to take them physically and on the foot game. We have to be better at these aspects of the game. It sounds so easy, right? ( laughs )
" You (the XV of France) have an exceptional third line and a lot of talent in three-quarters "
But many iconic players will no longer be there ...
It is a new challenge that awaits us but it is the case after each World Cup. We are losing very important players, with a lot of experience: our captain Kieran Read, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Owen Franks ... But we have started to integrate new players who will assert themselves. In France, you are in the same case, with a new group of players, new coaches. But you have an exceptional third line and a lot of talent in three-quarters. All this does not happen by accident but thanks to reconstruction work.
The melee reconstruction site seems the most important. Do you agree ?
It is true that there is work in prospect. Sam Whitelock, who signed for the season in Japan, gave himself an incredible challenge to come back with us as soon as the Japanese parenthesis ended. Brodie Retallick will be absent for 18 months (he also signed in Japan with the Kobelco Steelers of Dan Carter, editor's note). So there may be opportunities. In the third row we will have to replace Kieran ( Read ) but also Luke Whitelock or Jordan Taufua. Super Rugby will give the possibility to some to claim a place in the group.
At the World Cup, there was a lot of talk about having repositioned Beauden Barrett in the back to entrust the opening to Richie Mo'unga. Will you repeat this pattern?
How many teams would dream of having two players of this caliber who can take the game on their own. Making choices is the hard part of this job. Last year we made this choice based on the shape of the two players at a specific time. We will see well this year. Nothing is recorded. Especially since some players return from injury like Damian McKenzie, or confirm like Jordie Barrett who made a very good start to Super Rugby. These will be difficult decisions to make but that is our role.
" I cannot imagine seasons without this face-to-face with South Africa "
Speaking of the position of opener, returning to New Zealand after his stay in Montpellier, Aaron Cruden seems to have found a new youth. Do you have an eye on it?
It is very good news to see experienced players return. Aaron is one of them. His ability to take on the game on his own, his experience, his leadership are great assets.
After Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, your predecessors at the head of the All Blacks, what do you want to bring to this team? What will be the "Ian Foster touch"?
It will not be a “Foster 'touch” but rather a new collective touch. There was no question of having a new group of coaches and not sharing new ideas. Whether with Scott McLeod or John Plumtree, who has worked in New Zealand, Japan, South Africa or Ireland, but also Brad Mooar who joins us after his experience with the Scarlets of Llanelli ( Wales ) or Greg Feek who was in charge of the melee of the Leinster team and the Irish team, we have a melting pot of new coaches. I want to encourage them to talk and share new ideas. It will only be better for New Zealand rugby.
We talk a lot about South Africa which could join the Six Nations Tournament. What do you think ?
I do not listen to what is said in the media. What I do know is that, until 2024, South Africa will be among us. There has always been a great and healthy rivalry between the Springboks and New Zealand. Of course there are economic and political issues that we do not control but I cannot imagine seasons without this face-to-face. Some countries may indeed see the opportunity to weaken us. These are their choices and we will have to accept this situation.
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