New Zealand reward Ian Foster and Mike Cron
Tuesday 17 November 2015 08:36, UK
New Zealand have extended the contracts of assistant coach Ian Foster and scrum guru Mike Cron until after the British and Irish Lions tour in 2017.
Head coach Steve Hansen had already been granted a contract extension until after the Lions tour and two key men in the All Blacks coaching set-up have now extended their deals after the 2015 World Cup success.
Hansen's management team have guided the All Blacks to 49 victories in their 54 internationals since the former Wales coach took over after the 2011 World Cup culminating in their success over Australia at Twickenham last month.
"It's great news for New Zealand Rugby and myself to have these two world-leading coaches sign back on with the All Blacks," Hansen said.
"They have both played a major part in making this team what it is.
"They understand the culture and what's required in the Test arena to make a team successful, and will be vital in making sure that we continue to grow our game in the years ahead."
Cron, whose scrum expertise is considered amongst the best in the world, had been reported to be stepping away from the All Blacks after their successful World Cup campaign however he remains in place alongside Hansen and Foster.
"I'm really enjoying the environment and the next couple of years will be an exciting challenge for the coaching team as we look to identify talent and help develop them into world-class rugby players," Cron said.
The All Blacks became the first side to win successive World Cups when they beat their Antipodean rivals in the final at Twickenham on October 31. They also became the first team to win the title three times.
There will be one man missing however, with Wayne Smith taking a year off from full-time coaching.
Smith, had been touted as a possible replacement for Stuart Lancaster in the England set-up, but will take a break having joined the coaching team in 2015 to focus on defence.
Performance analyst Alistair Rogers has also taken an assistant coaching role under Tana Umaga at the Auckland Blues.
