Sir Steve Hansen has hit out at New Zealand Rugby over current All Blacks coach Ian Foster's contract situation.
Foster, 56, was appointed as Hansen's successor as coach of the All Blacks after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, where New Zealand finished third in its defence of the 2015 title.
As Hansen's assistant coach, Foster was promoted to the role of head coach ahead of Crusaders boss Scott Robertson, while Jamie Joseph pulled out of the race to continue his tenure with Japan.
But Foster's initial appointment as All Blacks coach was only through until the end of 2021, leaving him as a free agent after this season, yet to be offered new terms on staying in his role.
And speaking to Newstalk ZB, Hansen questioned the seeming reluctance to re-sign Foster, given the need for stability and continuity in the All Blacks building towards the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
"The next thing that needs to happen by the New Zealand Rugby Union is they need to appoint Ian to go right through to the end of the World Cup," Hansen says.
"They haven't even appointed him to go to the World Cup yet, which I think is stupid, they need to get it done.
"It gives stability to the All Blacks, and it gives stability to the players, and they can get on and start planning for it.
"He's the man in the hot seat, he's doing a good job, he's been through a tremendous lot of stressful situations last year with Covid, he handled it with real class, he's maintained the Bledisloe and the Tri Nations.
"Yes, South Africa weren't in it, but that's not his fault - and they won the trophies they needed to win. They're starting to build something - I think watching them from afar - quite tidy.
"Get him contracted through to the end of the World Cup, and then whatever happens, happens, and the New Zealand Rugby Union will have to make some decisions I suppose."
Foster's first year as All Blacks coach saw three wins, two losses and one draw from six matches played, before opening their 2021 campaign with a 102-0 victory over Tonga at Mt Smart Stadium.
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