Ian Foster’s wife Leigh and daughter Michaela were accosted by a man with a knife in Paris days before the All Blacks’ first game at the World Cup, 1News can reveal.
The incident occurred near the All Blacks’ hotel in an area on the outskirts of the city notorious for being less than salubrious.
It is understood that the pair were able to get away from the attempted mugging without injury or loss of possessions but were shaken up by the experience. Michaela, 24, is a member of the Football Ferns and played in a World Cup herself this year.
It is unknown whether an official complaint was made to police.
The All Blacks, like all 20 teams at the World Cup which started with a victory by the hosts at the Stade de France on September 9 and finished with a victory by the Springboks last weekend, had a heavy police presence around them throughout.
After the incident a general warning was made by the All Blacks management to the players and those travelling with them to not venture out alone after dark.
The frightening incident was never mentioned by the now former All Blacks head coach Foster, who carried with him a calm and consistent presence in front of the media at the tournament despite the off-field issues and the knowledge he was about to be replaced by Scott Robertson whether he was successful or not.
A major issue behind the scenes was the less-than-ideal accommodation the All Blacks were placed in before their 27-13 defeat to France, who enjoyed the use of luxury hotels throughout despite the World Cup lottery system which, as the process suggests, is designed to be random.
It would have been a bone of contention for many reasons, not least because as the city sweltered in temperatures of 35deg plus in early September not all the hotel bedrooms had air conditioning.
It’s understood that after the first night there, members of the management team who did have air conditioning in their rooms were asked to swap with players who did not.
After the All Blacks stayed there the hotel was taken out of the rotation for the rest of the tournament.
New Zealand Rugby did not respond to a request for comment by 1News today.
Following a record warm-up defeat to South Africa, the outside pessimism surrounding the All Blacks deepened after their setback against France only to lessen through the rest of the pool stage and be finally banished by their remarkable 28-24 quarter-final victory over Ireland.
Under-fire last year following the series defeat to Ireland and under more pressure after the All Blacks lost to South Africa in Mbombela, confirmation that Foster would be replaced no matter the result in France came in March.
Foster, who made the shortlist for World Rugby's coach of the year, was careful to not appear bitter towards his critics, or indeed come across as an ungrateful guest in France. His reaction to the knife incident speaks to his coolness and restraint.
The All Blacks' run to the final came via a victory over Ireland at the Stade de France which was remarkable for the quality shown by both teams and in particular the All Blacks’ accuracy and discipline in the final minutes, and a comprehensive 44-6 semifinal win over Argentina.
After the Pumas demolition, Foster was asked whether he had any messages for his critics. “There’s not a personal agenda here,” he replied.
He is now officially unemployed, the Robertson era starting in the middle of last week.
The job offers are coming in, however, regardless of what Foster is saying publicly – and his discretion and loyalty will be a major part of his appeal.
The day after the gut-wrenching final defeat, which came after a red card for skipper Sam Cane, Foster revealed what he would miss most about the job, saying: “I’m gonna miss walking up the stairs to the coaches’ box before a Test. There’s something about taking your seat and watching the All Blacks play and, believe it or not, I love that.
“After that it’s the people. Full stop. It’s seeing young men grow and be put under the same pressure that I get put under and learning how to deal with that.”
Foster, 58, confirmed he wants to keep coaching, adding: “There are no secret plans. It may be my stubborn pride but I … didn’t want them [players] reading that I was talking to someone else… because I don’t think that’s conducive to a team environment. Technically I’ll get home and on the 1st of November be unemployed.”
He said his first priority on returning home would be mowing his lawns.
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