Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has peeled back the curtain on the stormy end to Ian Foster's reign over the All Blacks, sparked by revelations in Foster's latest tome. With the Bledisloe Cup looming, where Schmidt and new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson will lock horns, the backstory adds a delicious layer of drama to the encounters in Auckland and Perth.
In his book "Leading Under Pressure," Foster detailed the relentless scrutiny he faced from 2020 to 2024, highlighting the period when Schmidt stepped in as attack coach in 2022 following Ireland’s epic series victory in New Zealand. Schmidt, reflecting on the era, noted,
"A big part of it was about integrity. The pressure that was being exerted was contributed to by not just New Zealand Rugby, but people aiming up at ‘Fozzie’ [Foster]."
One of the more sensational aspects discussed was a podcast featuring Robertson and Jim Hamilton. Schmidt remarked, “That was a pressure point and an advertisement that he [Robertson] wanted to win the World Cup with two different teams.” He also highlighted a peculiar moment when Robertson greeted journalists with "Bula" at a Crusaders press conference in February 2023, amidst swirling rumors about Foster's job security.
Robertson's cryptic greeting was seen as a nod to the then-open Fijian coaching position. His comment at the press conference was cheeky yet telling:
“I’m just waiting for NZR to make the announcements, really. You have conversations in the background, but as an employee, it’s about understanding how important it is that you go through clear processes. What I’m saying is, hopefully, we’ll know in the next few days.”
This led to a rare public clarification from New Zealand Rugby stating that no imminent announcements concerning the All Blacks' coaching role were forthcoming. The official word that Robertson would succeed Foster came on March 21, 2023, post a "robust interview process," as described by the union. Foster, stepping aside, voiced concerns about the timing of this decision, suggesting it could distract from World Cup preparations.
Despite the backdrop of these tensions, both Robertson and Schmidt have maintained a public decorum filled with mutual respect since assuming their roles as head coaches for the All Blacks and Wallabies, respectively. Their upcoming face-off in the Bledisloe Cup is not just a test of strategy but of navigating past controversies with grace under fire.