Ian Foster and his daughter Michaela and wife Leigh. Photo: David Rowland/Photosport
Outgoing All Blacks coach Ian Foster has confirmed his wife and daughter were confronted by a knife wielding man while in Paris for the World Cup.
"In regards to recent reports, I can confirm there was an incident involving my wife and one of my daughters in Paris during the opening week of the Rugby World Cup," he said in a statement.
"Leigh (Foster's wife) and (daughter) Michaela were walking to our team hotel from a nearby train station in the early evening when they were confronted by a young man with a knife.
Foster's daughter Michaela is a member of the Football Ferns and plays for the Wellington Phoenix in the women's A-League competition.
"The man appeared to be under the influence of something," said Foster.
"My family were able to defuse the situation calmly but firmly and the man left.
"Team security, which included local authorities, were made aware of this when Leigh and Michaela returned."
Ian Foster talks to the media during a press conference following an All Blacks training session Photo: Hannah Peters
Foster maintains the incident "did not in any way take away from our time in France which was positive overall."
Foster didn't reveal the incident during the World Cup which the AllBlacks went on to finish runners-up after losing the final to South Africa 12-11.
The match was Foster's last in charge of the side with former Crusaders coach Scott Robertson having now officially taken over the job.
