New Zealand Rugby
Foster named All Blacks assistant coach
ESPNscrum Staff
December 22, 2011
Steve Hansen will lead the new All Blacks coaching set-up
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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." © ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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