All Blacks cancel coach Ian Foster’s press conference after Irish series defeat

All Blacks cancel coach Ian Foster’s press conference after Irish series defeat

The All Blacks have canceled All Blacks coach Ian Foster’s scheduled Sunday press conference following the series’ defeat to Ireland.

Foster was scheduled to attend his regular Sunday morning briefing in Wellington, where he would be questioned about whether he is still the right coach to move the All Blacks forward.

But when the media gathered at the team’s Wellington hotel, the press conference was cancelled.

The All Blacks lost the series 2-1 after losing 32-22 in the deciding game at Sky Stadium in Wellington on Saturday.

READ MORE:
* All Blacks coach Ian Foster refuses to talk about his future after series defeat
* All Blacks get another blow with Brodie Retallick ruled out with broken cheekbone
* ‘We’re damn sorry’: All Blacks captain Sam Cane’s message to fans after loss

Foster had previously declined to answer three questions about his future at the post-match press conference.

No official reason has been given for canceling the press conference.

Foster had routinely answered questions at both the post-game press conference and Sunday morning briefings following the first test win at Eden Park and the second test defeat at Dunedin.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster leaves the team hotel the day after their defeat to Ireland.

Jericho Rock Archer/STUFF

All Blacks coach Ian Foster leaves the team hotel the day after their defeat to Ireland.

It has been standard practice for All Blacks coaches for some 20 years to update the media on Sundays after the test.

Foster’s failure means there is no confirmation yet when he will name his team for the Rugby Championship, starting with a two-Test tour to South Africa in early August.

The All Blacks’ defeat to Ireland was the first since 1994 against France.

On Saturday evening, they trailed 22-3 at halftime.

It was the All Blacks’ fourth loss in their last five games.