Former All Black Jeff Wilson believes Ian Foster’s quest to coach New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup starts with this weekend’s Bledisloe clash.
Having coached the side since December 2019, Wilson believes a strong result against Australia should see Foster “cement” his spot as head coach before the World Cup kicks off in 2023.
“This is as we know, the season for Ian Foster to cement his place as All Blacks coach going through to the next Rugby World Cup,” Wilson said on Baz and Izzy for Breakfast on SENZ.
“This for me is where it starts for him but he won’t be thinking about that.
“I have spoken to him about that but they’re going to need to start really strongly.
“They’ve got the talent, there’s no doubt about that.
“The first challenge is who they’re going to start at 10, that’s the big question mark.”
With no one yet to settle in to the fly-half position on a permanent basis, Wilson believes Richie Mo’unga deserves the first shot at it.
“I think Richie Mo’unga deserves that opportunity in the 10 jersey,” Wilson added.
“He was very, very good once this season of course once again.
“Everyone’s got this question mark whether he has done at the highest level in the biggest games.
“Well, there’s only been a couple, and obviously, there’s the semi-final against England in the Rugby World Cup. Everyone is judging him off that one performance.
“Has he proven at All Black level against the toughest competition that he’s world class level? Not just yet, but I think he deserves the first opportunity to do that.”
The All Blacks host Australia in the first Bledisloe clash this Saturday night at Eden Park.
The game kicks off at 7:05pm (NZST).