All Blacks coach Ian Foster will remain in charge for the Kiwi's two test series against South Africa, despite suffering a home series loss to Ireland this summer.
Foster's head was on the block after last week's famous 32-22 defeat to Andy Farrell 's men, which resulted in the All Blacks losing a home series for the first time in the professional era.
Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will remain on board as an independent selector. Schmidt, who joined up with Foster's backroom team for the series with Ireland, was one of the names being mentioned to replace Foster should the 57-year old lose his job.
Another name mentioned as a potential successor to Foster is Scott Robertson. Robertson, who will form an all-star coaching ticket with Ronan O'Gara when The Barbarians take on the All Blacks in London, has won multiple Super Rugby titles with Crusaders and is considered to be one of the best coaches in the Southern Hemisphere.
Despite this, Foster has remained bullish over his future. Facing the media for the first time since his post-match news conference on Saturday, Foster said that he had never considered stepping down from the job he was handed in 2019.
"I am strong. I am resilient," he told reporters in Auckland after announcing his squad for the Rugby Championship. "I believe I have a great feel and relationship with my players. I'm strategic and I'm also accountable. I am really excited to ... show you what this team is made of."
New Zealand head into the series with South Africa with just a sole victory in their last five test matches. These defeats include three losses to Ireland and one to France.
New Zealand Rugby chief Mark Robinson said in a media release on Friday that "thorough conversations" had been held, and would continue to be held, around the All Blacks set-up.
"There's no doubt I'm under pressure, but I'm always under pressure," Foster added.
"As an All Blacks coach you live with that all the time. Does it hurt? Yes it does. But the key thing for me is ensuring we've got robust processes to make sure we have the right people in the right seats."
There was no immediate sign of much change in the playing group with only two alterations to his squad for the Rugby Championship.
Despite speculation in the New Zealand media this week that they would be axed, Foster has retained flanker Sam Cane as captain and gave no indication that he would be changing any of his assistant coaches.
"I have faith in Sam Cane," he added. "We all know we have a high accountability when you wear an All Blacks jersey and we need to do that better."
Foster said he understood the frustrations of the New Zealand public.
"I love the passion of our fans and I love the opinion," he said. "What I can assure people is that I'm not here other than to do the best job I can."
New Zealand play South Africa in the first test on 6th of August before meeting them again a week later. The Springbok's will be looking to build momentum ahead of their trip to Lansdowne Road in the Autumn.
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