Veteran broadcaster Brendon Telfer has backed NZ Rugby's decision to retain Ian Foster as All Blacks coach through the Rugby World Cup.
Chief executive Mark Robinson and the NZ Rugby board have confirmed they have "absolute confidence" with Foster in charge, after New Zealand's upset win over the Springboks.
Foster will also be joined by former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, who will take an expanded role within the All Blacks coaching ranks, after previously serving as a selector.
Telfer has revealed he supports the move to keep Foster at the helm and that "common sense has prevailed", after their stunning victory at Johannesburg.
"They [NZ Rugby] would've looked at this thing logically and dispassionately, and in light of what happened at Ellis Park on Sunday morning, it wasn't really a big surprise that they've come to this conclusion," he said.
"I suppose I am a little surprised that they have given basically a tick here for Ian Foster for right through to the Rugby World Cup next year.
"I would've thought they might have wanted to review his situation and position at the end of the Rugby Championship, which still has 5-6 weeks to run.
"Then there is a tour to the northern hemisphere, where they will play at least three test matches up there, but basically, Foster has been given a clear run all the way until the Rugby World Cup next year, which is a sensible decision in many ways.
"If they made big changes now and got rid of their coach, it would've been very disruptive for the players, it would've been very unstable as well for the game generally and controversy would've dragged on.
"Common sense has prevailed and common sense has been the victor today."
Telfer criticised NZ Rugby's handling of Foster's job, with constant performance reviews and media announcements raising questions over his future.
He admitted the unprecedented series loss to the Irish did cause some concern, but the turnaround at Johannesburg left NZ Rugby with only one option.
"I think they [NZ Rugby] panicked a bit after the Irish series," he said. "No-one in their right mind expected the All Blacks to lose that series to Ireland.
"Then, NZ Rugby, within hours after a series loss, put out a press release saying this result is unacceptable and that basically triggered this soap opera that followed.
"Since then, things have changed. The All Blacks have gone off to South Africa and had this great win over the weekend, so really they had no choice but to forget any thoughts they may have had of getting rid of him."
Join us on August 27 for live updates of the All Blacks v Argentina Rugby Championship clash
