Embattled All Blacks boss looks to sign off with World Cup glory

Foster made it clear in March that he won't extend his contract past the World Cup, which kicks off on 8 September when New Zealand play hosts France in the opening game.

Scott Robertson, who led the Canterbury Crusaders to seven straight Super Rugby titles, has already been named as Foster's replacement to coach the All Blacks.

New Zealand flew out of Auckland with high hopes of returning with the William Webb Ellis trophy.

Foster was blunt when asked if he thinks New Zealand can win the World Cup.

"I do. It's a well-tested group that's gone through a lot of adversity, stayed tight and found solutions."

His optimism was fuelled by an 11-match unbeaten run, dating back to August 2022, until South Africa grabbed five tries to thrash New Zealand 35-7 in a World Cup warm-up match at Twickenham.

It was the All Blacks' heaviest defeat to South Africa, a chastening night for Foster and his team.

Four straights wins over Argentina, South Africa and back-to-back victories over Australia in 2023 had buoyed confidence until the Springboks avenged their defeat in Auckland the previous month.

New Zealand's ill-discipline proved costly at Twickenham as lock Scott Barrett was sent off for two early yellow cards, leaving his team a man down for 42 minutes.

Foster admitted the defeat felt like "an upper cut", but was no cause for panic as the team left London for a training camp in Germany.

"That performance is going to take a lot of heat off us. No one is going to rate us now which is quite nice. We'll just go and prepare quietly and get stuck in."

Turbulent 2022

Foster speaks from experience having dealt with plenty of "heat" last year after poor performances.

In August 2022, it looked like his time was up.

Back-to-back loses at home to Ireland