NZ Rugby replicates SARU's 2007 move by advertising All Blacks job before World Cup

Ian Foster said on Wednesday that he would not reapply for the job of All Blacks head coach after this year's Rugby World Cup in France.

It came after New Zealand Rugby said earlier in the day they would select the All Blacks coach from 2024 within the next few weeks.

This is reminiscent of what the SA Rugby Union did in 2007 when they advertised the new Springbok head coach position while Jake White was busy preparing the team for the showpiece event. White led the Boks to World Cup glory in France but did not stay on as coach as he opted not to reapply for the job.

Foster criticised the governing body for starting the recruitment process in the middle of World Cup preparations.

"As I said last week, I felt the best thing for our team and for our entire management group was to have this process done after the Rugby World Cup," Foster said in a statement.

"That hasn't happened but we will accept the decision and move on."

The 57-year-old added that he remained focused on winning the World Cup in September-October, before concluding: "I won't be reapplying for the job of head coach."

The unusual step of starting the appointment process well before Foster's contract expires is widely seen as an attempt to stop international sides poaching leading contenders.

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New Zealand Rugby chairperson Patsy Reddy said it was crucial to start the search for a new coach now.

"This is particularly important in a global rugby environment where there is significant competition for elite coaching talent," she said.

Foster came under pressure last year following a string of erratic All Blacks performances, including a series defeat to Ireland and their first