Ian Foster 'not panicking' in wake of series loss to Ireland as pivotal South Africa tour looms

Ian Foster has shrugged off queries over his future as New Zealand coach in the wake of the landmark series defeat to Ireland and with crucial Tests against South Africa looming.

Andy Farrell's side secured a historic first away victory over the All Blacks in the second Test of the tour in Dunedin on 9 July before going one further a week later with a maiden series triumph on New Zealand soil with another win in Wellington.

Despite huge pressure, Foster survived a New Zealand Rugby review into the 2-1 series defeat to Ireland, with his assistant coaches instead taking the fall for the shock result.

However, defeat in the upcoming Rugby Championship tests against the world champions Springboks would renew calls in New Zealand for change at the top.

Asked whether his position might become untenable with another setback in South Africa, Foster said he was only focused on the job at hand.

"It's not something I think about. I think about just doing the best I can in my role," Foster told reporters in Wellington on Tuesday.

"My job is to get excited about taking the team to South Africa. We're not panicking. I'm not sure about the rest of the people."

With the three-times world champion All Blacks losing four of their last five tests, Foster's 67% winning record from 24 tests is the worst for a New Zealand coach in decades.

Foster said head office had given him no demands regarding the South Africa tour, which starts in Mbombela on 6 August.

"I don't need them to tell me what we want to do," he added.

"We want to play well. With all the emotions around when you lose a series, it's easy for people to get scratchy and poke holes, and I get all that and accept all that.

"But it doesn't change our job, which is to get the group to play