The fickle nature of professional sport was on full display this week, as opinions surrounding Ian Foster and his All Blacks side began to sway in their favour, following their 35-23 defeat of South Africa in Saturday's Rugby Championship clash.
The All Blacks produced their finest performance in months, and speaking to the media earlier today, Ian Foster stated that he is confidence that he has the backing of his players, but that the higher-ups still have a decision to make on his future.
I certainly feel I have the support and the backing of the All Blacks. And I think that New Zealand rugby, there's still processes they want to go through to categorically say that. But what I do know is that to coach this team you have to have categoric support.
Ian Foster And The Pressure Of Coaching The All Blacks
16 July 2022; All Blacks head coach Ian Foster before the Steinlager Series match between the New Zealand and Ireland at Sky Stadium in Wellington, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
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Given the disastrous run of form the All Blacks have endured over the last year, prior to Saturday's win, the media and fan pile-on ,which the team and Foster have had to endure, has been intense.
However, Foster revealed that he has a remarkably thick skin and said that these outside voices did not affect him.
"I don't think it is to be honest. I think that you get used to it. And that's sad isn't it, and I get used to the personal side, but that's the nature of the job. And they are the distractions that I ask the players to put to one side.
"And we go out to a test match and there's a big crowd and referee decisions don't go their way or something goes wrong, we're demanding of our players to put those things to one side and just get back to work."
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