MATT McILRAITH
SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE EXPERT

Stepping up: Ian Foster has been promoted from assistant coach. Inset, Scott Robertson
PICTURES: Getty Images

Professional sport is not all about popularity. It sure helps though. Therefore, New Zealand Rugby’s decision to select Ian Foster, whose regard among the public can only be described as lukewarm, as the new All Black coach is not especially smart.
The ‘shock’ of the appointment, which was announced this week, was hardly as seismic as the tragic volcanic eruption of White Island, three hours to the south of where the...