New Zealand Rugby
Foster named All Blacks assistant coach
ESPNscrum Staff
December 22, 2011
Steve Hansen is unveiled as All Blacks head coach, All Blacks media session, Wellington, New Zealand, December 16, 2011
Steve Hansen will lead the new All Blacks coaching set-up © Getty Images
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Former Chiefs coach Ian Foster has been confirmed as the new assistant coach of the All Blacks.

Foster - who coached the Chiefs in more than 100 Super Rugby matches from 2004 to this year and also co-coached the Junior All Blacks - is joined by former All Black Grant Fox and Brian 'Aussie' McLean in head coach Steve Hansen's new set-up.

Fox joins as a selector while McLean will be responsible for coaching defence. A new skills coach will be added to the team in the new year.

"This is a great honour to work with the All Blacks. I'm thankful for the faith that Steve Hansen and the board have shown in me," he said.

"I think the time I have had with the Chiefs and the Junior All Blacks has given me a taste of coaching at an international level, and this is a huge privilege for me as I look to fill Smithy's [Wayne Smith] big boots."

Fox, who played 46 Tests for the All Blacks between 1985 and 1993, will step down from his position on the board o the Blues to join Hansen and Foster on the All Blacks selection panel.

Fox said: "The chance to be involved with the All Blacks again - a team I care passionately about - was too good an opportunity to turn down and I was flattered when Steve called me and said he wanted me to be a selector."

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