Ian Foster (rugby union)

Ian Foster
Foster in 2025
Full nameIan Douglas Foster
Born (1965-05-01) 1 May 1965
Putāruru, New Zealand
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
SchoolThe Taieri High School
Forest View High School
Rugby union career
Position First five-eighth
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1985–1998 Waikato 148 (322)
1996–1998 Chiefs 26 (167)
Correct as of 14 May 2023
Coaching career
Years Team
2002–2003 Waikato
2004–2011 Chiefs
2005–2007 Junior All Blacks
2012–2019 New Zealand (assistant)
2020–2023 New Zealand
2025 ANZAC XV (assistant)
Correct as of 8 July 2025

Ian Douglas Foster CNZM (born 1 May 1965) is a New Zealand professional rugby union coach and former player. He coached New Zealand to the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where they lost to South Africa.

He played as a first five-eighth for a number of New Zealand clubs, namely Waikato and the Chiefs. Foster started his coaching career with Waikato. He also contributed to New Zealand's victory in the 2015 Rugby World Cup as an assistant coach. In 2025 Foster was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby.