Foster logical choice for the Chiefs

By CHRIS RATTUE

Appointing Ian Foster was the easy bit. Turning around the Chiefs' fortunes will be a much tougher task.

Foster, 38, was yesterday named as Chiefs coach for the next two years, following the departure of Kevin Greene, who resigned after two disappointing seasons.

Foster will be assisted by Farrell Temata, his Waikato NPC assistant, and the pair will continue to guide Waikato in this season's championship.

Foster was the logical choice, given his success with Waikato last year. The only other sensible contender would have been Waikato old boy and former Ireland coach Warren Gatland. But the former All Black hooker has signed a new three-year deal with English and European champions Wasps.

The major issue counting against Foster was a lack of top-level experience as a head coach, but he showed the right touch in his one season in charge of Waikato when they made the NPC final against Auckland after dominating the round-robin.

Foster, Waikato's most capped player with 148 appearances, also played 26 times for the Chiefs.

He said yesterday that there was "no magic formula" to success.

"I have a great belief in, and commitment to, rugby in this area. It is about having the right people who want to succeed and who are prepared to work hard," Foster said.

"It's important that we build depth and have consistency of selection. We've got to build confidence in our organisation and the Chiefs region.

"Confidence comes through thorough preparation and making sure you pay attention to detail."

The Chiefs finished 10th, 13 points adrift of the semifinal spots, this year. They have never made the final four.

Foster said he would have a better idea of the players he would want to recruit from outside the Chiefs area as the NPC progressed.

Among them could be All Black prop Carl Hoeft, of Te Aroha origins, who is rumoured to be keen on a return home from Dunedin.

The big plus for Foster is the return of frontrower Deacon Manu from the champion Blues.

Teams such as the Blues and Sharks have shown in recent years how quickly fortunes can be turned around.

Chiefs chairman Graeme Elvin said: "Ian Foster will bring a great attitude, commitment and passion to the franchise. We have every confidence he will embrace the progression to coach of a Super 12 team."

Of course, these are the sort of words that accompany every new coaching appointment.

For a variety of reasons, Brad Meurant, Ross Cooper, John Mitchell and Greene have been unable to lift the Chiefs into the semifinals, and the team have spent many of the eight Super 12 seasons as also-rans. One of the major problems has been the flow of players overseas.