Leading Under Pressure

The inside story of Ian Foster’s All Blacks

‘A stunningly honest and insightful account of what it takes to coach the All Blacks.’ – Gregor Paul

Appointed as head coach in 2019, Ian Foster led the All Blacks through one of the most tumultuous periods of the team’s 120-year history.

Leading Under Pressure is a fascinating look into the pressure cooker inner-sanctum of the world’s most famous rugby team. With revelations about Foster’s time in the job, it also delves into the politics of rugby and the events preceding the dramatic 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Ian Foster was the All Blacks coach the nation seemingly never wanted.

Appointed in 2019, Foster led the All Blacks through one of the most tumultuous periods of the team’s 120-year history. Dramatic changes in world rugby during the pandemic, the suspension of Super Rugby, and a civil war between the players and New Zealand Rugby became the background to Foster’s tenure.

When the All Blacks found themselves on a streak that saw them post just one win in six tests
between November 2021 and June 2022, Foster believed he was going to be sacked after the
test against South Africa at Ellis Park, but against all predictions, the All Blacks won, the senior
players lobbied the chief executive, and the coach was granted a last-minute reprieve.
Despite expectations, the All Blacks would go on to make the final of the world cup, beating
world #1 Ireland in the quarter-final, and losing in the final by one point in a dramatic 12–11 loss to South Africa after the All Blacks captain was controversially sent off in the 28th minute.

This is a fascinating look into the pressure cooker inner-sanctum of the world’s most high profile rugby team. Not only does it contain explosive revelations about Foster’s time in the job, but it delves deep into the background and character of a coach to show how he coped with an impossible situation and yet came out with the nation’s respect and his reputation enhanced.

About the Author
Ian Foster is a New Zealand rugby legend from Waikato, New Zealand. Foster became an
assistant coach and selector for the All Blacks in 2011, and remained an assistant coach
through to his appointment as head coach in 2019. As a player, Foster represented Waikato,
where his 148 games from 1985–1998 is union record. He formerly coached the Waikato Chiefs, between 2004 and 2011, and is currently head coach with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz.

Author Biography

Ian Foster is a New Zealand rugby legend from Waikato, New Zealand. Foster became an assistant coach and selector for the All Blacks in 2011, and remained an assistant coach through to his appointment as head coach in 2019. As a player, Foster represented Waikato, where his 148 games from 1985-1998 is union record. He formerly coached the Waikato Chiefs, between 2004 and 2011, and is currently head coach with Japanese club Toyota Verblitz.