Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has been promoted within the All Blacks set-up as he'll now be their attack coach as they re-configure their coaching staff ahead of next year's World Cup.
Under-fire head coach Ian Foster has been given the full backing of his bosses to continue in his job but the New Zealand Rugby Board recommended a few changes be made to his coaching ticket with Schmidt seen as someone who warrants a more hands-on role having been initially brought on as an independent selector.
Foster had found his position in the spotlight following three straight Test defeats, including losing a home series to Ireland.
READ MORE: All Blacks bounce back from humiliating series loss to Ireland with victory over South Africa
However, following the 35-23 win over world champions South Africa in Johannesburg, the New Zealand Rugby Board endorsed Foster remaining in charge.
During a meeting on Tuesday with NZR chief executive Mark Robinson and chair Stewart Mitchell as well as general manager of professional rugby Chris Lendrum, Foster also provided his own recommendations which have in turn been recommended to the board.
“(The board) have unanimously agreed they have absolute confidence that Ian and this coaching group are the right people to lead the All Blacks through until the World Cup,” Mitchell said.
“This has been privately and publicly validated by our players and various conversation with our high performance team.”
It has been agreed for Schmidt to become full-time assistant coach.
Foster said on www.allblacks.com : “Joe Schmidt has been on my radar, probably for a couple of years.
“We flagged at the start of this year that his role was to join us after the Irish series as an independent selector to replace Grant Fox and in addition he was going to do some opposition analysis work and work alongside myself in the strategy area.
“We started that after the Irish series and delighted with how that’s going. I have a great relationship with Joe.”
New Zealand next face Argentina in their Rugby Championship showdown in Christchurch on August 27.
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