ABs head coach Foster comes to town

Years of knowledge in one shot: Former Poverty Bay coach Tom Cairns, All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, John Stevenson (Ian’s father-in-law) and current Poverty Bay coach Miah Nikora at the Tiny White memorial opening day. Picture by Paul Rickard

Poverty Bay club rugby was treated to a special audience at the Oval on Saturday with the appearance of All Blacks head coach Ian Foster at the Tiny White memorial opening day.

Foster took over the reins in 2019, succeeding Steve Hansen, and will be at the helm for the Rugby World Cup in France next year.

The ABs, ranked No.3 in the world. start their playing campaign in July with a three-test home series against the fourth-ranked Ireland.

Foster and his selection team have some big decisions to make before then and he has been keeping a keen eye on the Super Pacific Rugby series, which continues this week with more transtasman battles.

With all Super games being held in Melbourne last weekend, Foster took the tiime to catch up with wife Leigh’s family in Gisborne.

Foster nestled himself inside a large gathering of club supporters located between two matches being played at the same time.

He was accompanied by former Poverty Bay coach Tom Cairns, current Bay coach Miah Nikora and and Foster’s father-in-law John Stevenson, who is a long-time supporter of High School Boys.

Foster was happy to be in Gisborne and enjoyed the grassroots rugby club spirit. “I think this is a fantastic idea,” he said of having all club season-opening games at the one venue.

“I like that it brings the community (out). . . there’s some good rugby being played here.

“I’m impressed with the level of fitness and the desire to play” he said. “There is some good talent here and I love the ball movement.”

Foster was particularly impressed with what he saw of YMP, who charged to a 53-10 win over Pirates. “I like their brand of rugby — good ball movement and quick”.

He also enjoyed the performance of Waikohu, who trounced High School Old Boys 43-0, and said he could see why there were the club champs. “They play a good game. They are a big team but mobile.”