All Blacks coach Ian Foster has confirmed he won't re-apply for the position after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Foster's announcement comes, as NZ Rugby confirms it will name the new coach for 2024 within the next 4-6 weeks.
"As I said last week, I felt the best thing for our team and for our entire management group was to have this process done after the Rugby World Cup," he said. "That hasn't happened, but we will accept the decision and move on.
"My sole focus remains unchanged. It is to lead this All Blacks team and management group in our planning and preparation, so that we go to France with the goal of winning the Rugby World Cup and making this country proud.
"I won't be re-applying for the job of head coach."
Foster's desire for the All Blacks coaching decision to wait until after the World Cup was ultimately rejected by NZ Rugby.
Chair Dame Patsy Reddy responded to mounting conjecture over the appointment by setting a timeline, confirming it will be made before the World Cup in France in September/October.
"Until now, NZ Rugby has been reluctant to talk publicly about an appointment process for the All Blacks coach to protect the integrity of the process and to minimise the scrutiny on the individual involved," said Dame Patsy. "Recent events, however, necessitate some clarity."
Foster expressed his frustration over the speculation last week and admitted it was "highly unlikely" he would be in the job in 2024.
He was also disappointed to hear from another coach [Scott Robertson] that a decision had seemingly been made, with the Crusaders guru tipped by most as the frontrunner.
"I'm pretty sure they've [NZ Rugby] got a pretty clear idea and that's up to them to voice that," Foster told Newstalk ZB.
"It does seem to be reasonably obvious. I thought there was an interview with a coach last week that made it look like there was already plans in place to go early.
"That was frustrating to hear that from another voice, and I want people to know that this is not a process that I am holding up because of my silence or I'm holding up because people don't know what I want to do."
