Former All Blacks coach Ian Foster has been confirmed as part of the coaching staff for the Australian and New Zealand Invitational XV that will play against the British and Irish Lions during their tour of Australia.
Foster, who coached the All Blacks between 2019 and 2023, will join the AUNZ Invitational XV for the clash against the Lions in Adelaide on July 12th.
Although he may not be the head coach, the opportunity to be involved with the team will give Foster the chance to potentially share ideas with Joe Schmidt, one of his former All Blacks assistants.
Schmidt was on the All Blacks coaching staff from mid-2022, through to the end of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
He has since joined the Wallabies as head coach and will remain with the team through to the end of the Rugby Championship.
Although the AUNZ Invitational XV match is being billed as the fourth test by some pundits, there will be no All Blacks involved as they will be preparing for the three-test series against France in New Zealand in July.
There are hopes that Japan-based stars such as ex-All Blacks Aaron Smith and Richie Mo'unga could play in the fixture.
Foster guided the All Blacks to the Rugby World Cup final against the Springboks in Paris in late 2023 where the Springboks won 12-11 at Stade de France.
The Lions will be coached by Andy Farrell.
The Lions will play nine matches across six cities and six weeks.
The tour begins in Perth with the Western Force hosting the Lions on June 28th.
The opening test between the Wallabies and the Lions is in Brisbane on July 19th, followed by the second test in Melbourne a week later.
Sydney will be the location for the potential decider between the two sides on August 2nd.
[Source: Stuff.co.nz]
