KEY POINTS:
Leading New Zealand Super 14 rugby coaches Colin Cooper and Ian Foster have extended their contracts with the New Zealand Rugby Union.
Cooper, who is head coach of the Hurricanes, has re-signed with the NZRU until 2008 while Chiefs head coach Foster has committed until 2009. Both are also co-coaches of New Zealand rugby's second team behind the All Blacks - the Junior All Blacks.
NZRU deputy chief executive Steve Tew said Cooper and Foster had made significant contributions to the Hurricanes and Chiefs in the Super 14 over the years and both played key roles in the success of the Junior All Blacks.
"Colin and Ian are two of our most talented coaches and are highly regarded in this country and internationally. We are delighted that they will remain involved in New Zealand rugby," Tew said.
Cooper guided the Hurricanes to Super 14 final in 2006 and semifinal appearances in 2003 and 2005. He was assistant coach of the Crusaders when they won the competition in 2002. Foster coached the Chiefs to their first semifinal appearance in 2004.
The Junior All Blacks have been unbeaten since the team was reinstituted in 2005 as New Zealand's second national team.
As co-coaches, Cooper and Foster led the team to a 2-0 series win against Australia A in 2005 and were in charge when the team won the inaugural IRB Pacific 5 Nations tournament in 2006.
They will again coach the Junior All Blacks in the expanded Pacific Nations Cup this year.
Chiefs chief executive Gary Dawson said Foster's re-signing is a tremendous positive for rugby in the Chiefs' region.
- NZPA
