Ian Foster, former head coach of the All Blacks, has committed to a season (2024-2025) with the Japanese franchise Toyota Verblitz. He will reunite with Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith.
Les Toyota Verblitz continue to attract New Zealand stars. After enrolling the phenomena Beauden Barrett (127 caps) and Aaron Smith (125 caps) in their squad and appointing the legendary Steve Hansen as their head coach, the Japanese franchise has now recruited Ian Foster as manager.
The former head coach of the All Blacks at the last World Cup has signed on for a season with the Toyota team. Foster (58 years old) notably contributed to the third world title of the New Zealanders in 2015, as an assistant to Steve Hansen as backs coach. He took over as head coach of the All Blacks after the 2019 World Cup until their silver medal in 2023, after losing in the final to the Springboks (12-11).
Joseph Manu also arrives
“I have kept an eye on the development of Japanese rugby in recent years,” said the new boss of Verblitz. “There is no doubt that the League One is a competition that is constantly improving. I am excited to join the franchise with the goal of winning titles. I am also looking forward to working with Steven (Hansen) again.” In the realm of New Zealand players, the Toyota Verblitz have also signed Joseph Manu. A seasoned rugby league player, he will now discover rugby union in the land of the rising sun. A starter in the Sydney Roosters team, he also has 17 caps for the New Zealand 13-a-side team. He even participated in the last World Cup in 2022, where he lost in the semi-finals (16-14) to the future Australian champions. The Toyota Verblitz are currently sixth in League One with 34 points.
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