All Blacks captain Sam Cane has suggested NZ Rugby should have waited until after the upcoming Rugby World Cup to begin the process of selecting the new national head coach to succeed Ian Foster.
After months of speculation, NZ Rugby announced on Wednesday it would appoint a new coach to take the reins after this year's World Cup in the next 4-6 weeks.
That news was swiftly followed by confirmation from Foster he would not be re-applying for the role, expressing his disappointment that NZR wouldn't wait until after the tournament to undertake that procedure. Crusaders coach Scott Robertson is the leading contender to step into the role.
While he was reluctant to speculate on whether Foster should have reapplied for his role, Cane hints NZ Rugby's decision on who should replace him should have been delayed until after Foster's contract had expired at the end of the World Cup.
"You sort of sense that post World Cup makes a lot of sense but this is the route they've gone," Cane told Newshub.
But Cane admits a sense of relief for both himself and his team that they can put the saga behind them and focus on the task at hand.
"I suppose - if anything - it just allows everyone to move on and just focus on this season now without too many more disruptions," he noted.
"All our energy will just be going into making sure we can win a World Cup and make New Zealand proud."
Foster's tenure as All Blacks head coach has been turbulent, and Cane has been right alongside for the ride.
Last year's historic home series defeat to Ireland and a first-ever loss to Argentina in New Zealand were compounded by defeat to South Africa, putting Foster firmly on the chopping block.
Victory at Ellis Park the next week helped stave off the circling vultures, although mixed results on their European tour later in the year ensured doubts over Foster and Cane's future in their respective roles remained.
But Cane believes those experiences are examples of the squad's resiliency and expects the ongoing coaching saga to elicit a similar response, when their high-stakes 2023 test campaign begins against Argentina in July.
"It's fair to say over the past few years, whether it's through COVID or some challenging times last year, one thing is pretty clear is that the group hasn't cracked," he said.
"If anything, it's grown closer. It's a pretty strong group. That gives us a lot of confidence heading into this season and what's ahead in France
"The core group is really strong and there's lots of belief there. We've been galvanised through those experiences and this is probably another one of those things."
Cane was informed of NZ Rugby's decision to forge ahead with their selection over a Zoom call on Tuesday, before it was made public the next day.
The pair's relationship dates back to Foster's time with the Chiefs, where he called the young flanker up for his debut in 2011. Nine years later after Foster was promoted from assistant coach to All Blacks head coach, he chose Cane to fill the void left by Kieran Read as captain.
After a year-plus of turmoil, he acknowledges knowing exactly who the next coach will be when they step on the plane to France will lessen the amount of distractions and is adamant it will have no impact on Foster's efforts come Cup time.
"We've worked together for a long time, and he's a good man and a great coach," Cane added.
"The one thing I know about [Foster] is that he's extremely determined to do everything he can to make sure the All Blacks are in the best shape and he's always someone who's put the team and that will be the same again [this year]."
