Dylan Cleaver: Foster in AB frame

Ian Foster is young by international standards, though not among Super rugby coaches. Photo / Getty Images

Outgoing Chiefs coach Ian Foster says the prospect of working in a post-World Cup All Black panel intrigues him, but he has stopped short of calling it a clear goal.

Foster is contracted to the New Zealand Rugby Union until the end of the year, although his job hunt effectively starts tomorrow, as he takes charge of the Chiefs for the final time tonight.

"For me, the last couple of years there's been a number of options and times where I've looked hard at going to the UK, but my desire was to finish this cycle with the Chiefs," he said.

"While there was a contract here I wanted to fulfil that and have a little bit of a break after this campaign and review where I'm at.

"The trouble is there's not too many jobs here."

There are three very important jobs up for grabs after the World Cup, though the make-up of the All Black panel will depend largely on the result of this year's cup and the assumption that Graham Henry will retire.

His assistant Steve Hansen has made no secret that he wants the big job and has taken steps to improve his public image.

If the All Blacks were to win on October 23, Hansen's prospects would increase markedly and with them Foster's prospects of joining the panel. He is seen as one of the Cantabrian's closest allies in rugby and did nothing to dispel that notion when it was put to him.

"I wouldn't say it's a clear goal I've got to coach the All Blacks, but it's an opportunity that, if it came my way, I'd love to take it," he said.

"When you look at my planning, it's been along the lines of 'finish this year and who knows what's going to happen after the World Cup'.

"Part of the contract situation with New Zealand is that I'm around until the end of the year. They're keen for me to be around to the end of the year. There is the ability to get out of that, but right now I'm keen to have a break, do a few jobs in the meantime and see how it unfolds."

Moving from head coach to an assistant role would not pose a problem. Foster said the All Black panel had what he considered three head coaches. The key to an effective panel, he believed, was "amicable conflict".

"When you're at that level you'd want to be part of a challenging group. That's the desire. I see myself as a head coach, but if you're looking at opportunities in the international game, it is full of groups that have two or three reasonably strong personalities.

"It's not a title I crave, it's the importance of the role."

Without a title on the sideboard, the jury is out as to how successful Foster's eight-year Super rugby reign has been at the Chiefs. Without question he played a key role in leading them to the playoffs for the first, second and only times, but the past two years have been disappointing season's with more Ls than Ws on the ledger.

That could make a Foster ticket a hard sell to the NZRU for Hansen.

If that is the case, he will look overseas. Foster has links to Italy, having played there for 18 months, but a high-profile job in the United Kingdom would hold more appeal.

It could be the last time a swift transition is possible. With the Super rugby season set to go later into the calendar, it will now overlap with Northern Hemisphere clubs' preparation.

At 46 Foster is young by international standards, although the senior citizen among Super rugby
coaches.

"The job is getting bigger and bigger and I feel like I'm a better coach after eight years," he said.

"I'm still really passionate about it."