In March, an angry Ian Foster learned he would be replaced as All Blacks coach from 2024 by a rising superstar. On Sunday, he could walk away with a World Cup win in his last game.
Title-winning coaches have held trophies aloft in a multitude of ways but, at last check, none have included a flip of the bird to their bosses in the stands.
It was widely interpreted in New Zealand the early process was to ensure they didn’t lose Robertson to a rival nation, with England reportedly pursuing the man who has won the last seven Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders. Robertson had missed out on the All Blacks job in 2019 to Foster, who was promoted up from assistant coach, and NZR were nervous their rising star would leave.
Many feel the All Blacks have timed their run perfectly against a tiring Boks team, giving Foster the chance to embarrass the NZR with a World Cup win –and a parting barb or two. Foster dropping the mic with a World Cup win would put him in rare company of unwanted coaches winning in their last game. Chicago Bulls coach Phil Jackson was informed he wouldn’t be re-signed beyond the “Last Dance” season of 1997-98 - which they won - and David Nucifora coached the Brumbies to Super Rugby victory in 2004 after being told he wasn’t needed the following season.
“To be honest, he made his own bed a bit there. They have had a World Cup cycle where players had, or at least been perceived to have, performed more poorly in the All Black jersey than they have at Super Rugby level,” Mehrtens said.AP
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