Local media had speculated Canterbury Crusaders coach Scott Robertson was poised to replace him but New Zealand Rugby’s board unanimously backed Foster at a meeting earlier on Wednesday, officials said.
“I just want to remind people it’s a privilege to be in this job … I believe in the plan I’ve got and believe we’ve got great support behind us,” he said. He survived an NZR review after the 2-1 defeat in the home series against Ireland in July, with his former assistant coaches John Plumtree and Brad Mooar axed instead.
Former Ireland coach Schmidt did not travel with the team to South Africa but will now play a bigger role in match-day preparations, which Foster welcomed.NZR and Robinson came in for heavy criticism from former players and pundits over their handling of the Foster question, with Robinson refusing repeatedly to endorse him as coach in a media conference on Sunday.