There’s no greater way for a coach to go out than with a win. However, going out with a World Cup trophy? Well that’s the reality facing both coaches this Saturday.
South Africa’s Jacques Nienaber and New Zealand’s Ian Foster enter the World Cup Final with their future sealed, set to walk away from their respective teams at the end of the tournament.
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It was confirmed well in advance of arriving in France for two vastly different reasons.
Nienaber signed with Irish giants Leinster in April, citing a desire to take on a new challenge after his third World Cup campaign.
Weeks early, Foster’s future with the All Blacks was decided for him, with New Zealand Rugby announcing Scott Robertson will take over in 2024.
Neither coach has let this affect their preparations in 2023 as they prepare to meet for the third time this season on the biggest stage.
Their respective nominations for Coach of the Year are well-deserved and probably overdue recognition for a pair of coaches who have found themselves either overlooked or cast aside.
For Nienaber, it’s a case of finding himself in the shadow of the eccentric Rassie Erasmus.
Erasmus’ official title is Springboks Director of Rugby but if you polled the general Rugby public, there’d be a fair amount of people who’d still think he’s coach.
However, whilst Erasmus takes centre stage, Nienaber is a wonderful foil, an excellent man manager who has found a way to bring the best out of a position-less Springboks side with their 7-1 bench split.
Captain Siya Kolisi gave Nienaber the ultimate tribute after their semi-final win, with the two beginning their relationship when the inspirational leader was a teenager coming through the Western Province academy.
"When Jacques came it was the full contact there and you had to show who you are,” he explained. “Every time they came it was intense. I got to know him then and as I went on he became my senior coach and one thing I love about him is he goes far deeper than what is happening on the field.
"He got to know me, my family and why I do what I do. He speaks to us with human courtesy. They don’t encourage us to tackle hard - we all know what that is. He knows my kids by name, asks me how I am doing as a person and that is why I can go and give him everything on the field because he cares about the person, he cares about Siya from the township. For the teams, especially in big moments, he talks about each and every player's journey.
"It is so special to be known as a person not just as an object or a rugby player. That’s what he brings to this team and the fact that he allows families to be around, how much he loves to see our kids running around.
"I know some teams are not allowed to have families, but that is what he creates, that family environment. I have enjoyed every single year that I’ve worked with him. The tough times too, when he comes and calls me out. He is always honest. I can't explain how much I have enjoyed it.”
For Foster, it’s about dealing with the near unattainable expectations set on the All Blacks.
Foster’s trophy cabinet reads as following after taking over as All Blacks coach in 2020: Four Bledisloe Cups, three Freedom Cups, four Rugby Championships for a winning record of 71%.
On the flip side, this was countered by losses to Argentina and a series defeat to Ireland as the gap between the top teams closed, leading to New Zealand Rugby to make the call.
His winning record pales in comparison to predecessors Steve Hansen (87%) and Graham Henry (85%). However, the goal was always the 2023 World Cup and Foster is finally at a point where he can ‘straighten his back’ after months of criticism and calls for his head.
"It’s the life of this business, it’s a tough game,” he said.
"It’s tough when you’re trying to get your performance right. It’s a tough game when people around you see things differently, but we’ve learned a lot about ourselves.
"We take massive pride in the jersey and making sure we reach the levels we want to. The rest of that is probably a conversation for another day.
"It hasn’t altered our vision of where we want this team to be. I know we’ve surprised a few people but I don’t think we’ve surprised ourselves.”
Foster has the chance to deliver the ultimate accolade to his CV.
Despite this, he wouldn’t be pressed on his future with more important issues to sort out first.
"I’ve got lots of ideas but first I’m going to mow my lawns,” Foster said with a smile.
"I will be coaching though, by the way.”
They won't well on the potential individual glory, proud of how far the two teams have come after losing during the group stages.
“It’s funny. I went for a run this morning and I was thinking about [Saturday being the final game in charge],” Nienaber recalled.
“…I don’t know if this is my last test match with the Boks or not. You can plan life as much as you want but life has its own ways. Destiny has its own way. I just focus on how you should approach the game, that any day can be your last day with the team. I just enjoy every single minute of it. I stay in the now and enjoy the players.
“This will never happen in our lifetime again. Rather than thinking this might be the end or not, just stay in the moment. It’s probably the biggest occasion that we will ever be part and probably the biggest rugby game there has ever been. One and two playing each other in the World Cup final and whoever wins will be the first country to win four World Cups.
“It’s massive. I’ve twice been in positions where I’ve thought this is the end, I’ll never be here again, and look where we are now.”
“I’m reasonably peaceful. I love the word but I’m not sure I’m peaceful right now. We are where we want to be,” Foster added.
“We may have lost to France at the start of this tournament but this team has thrived on focusing on the now. It’s something we’ve loved doing, it enables us to deal with any outside noise around the team.
“Right now we’re trying to balance the emotion of it, the messages we’re getting from back home and all around France – massive thanks to all the support we have had. But we are just focusing on playing a massive game with a smile on their face. We know there are two different styles. They’re great at their style, we’re great at ours.”
