Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry has given a ringing endorsement to the retention of Ian Foster as national team coach, after his re-signing with NZ Rugby.
Foster, 56, has put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep him in the job through the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
His reappointment comes as the All Blacks prepare to leave for Australia to play the Rugby Championship in Queensland, before the end-of-year tour to the northern hemisphere.
As All Blacks coach, Foster's record sits at eight wins, two losses and one draw - a 73 percent winning record.
Albeit from a much smaller sample size, Foster's winning percentage is considerably down on that of his two predecessors, Sir Graham Henry's 88 wins from 103 tests (85.44 percent), and Sir Steve Hansen's 93 wins from 107 tests (86.92 percent).
But despite some discontent at Foster's re-signing, with Crusaders coach Scott Robertson his closest rival for the job, Sir Graham believes NZR has made a "good decision" in keeping the status quo.
Henry was also part of the panel that selected Foster to take over the All Blacks from Hansen after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
"I think the current All Blacks are going through what we're all going through - unpredictable times," Sir Graham tells The Project.
"Fozzy's [Foster] had to put up with that, so it's a very difficult situation, and he's done it pretty well and he's keeping on improving.
"The last test was superb wasn't it? Against the Wallabies at Eden Park.
"They're making progress, it's a very good squad and I think it's a good decision."
The All Blacks will depart for Australia and the Rugby Championship later this week, although Foster himself says captain Sam Whitelock and halfback Aaron Smith are unlikely to travel - both expecting children in the coming weeks.
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