The Truth About Ian Foster's All Blacks: Darren Shand (Team Manager for 20 Years)

For 20 years, Darren Shand was the most powerful person in All Blacks rugby that nobody knew about. As Team Manager across four Rugby World Cups - including the back-to-back title wins of 2011 and 2015 - Shand sat above the coaches, managed the operation, and helped build the cultural architecture of the most successful international rugby team in history. He worked alongside Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen, Sir Wayne Smith, Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, and some of the greatest players to ever pull on the black jersey. He talks about the 2004 wake-up call that forced the entire culture to change. The private battles with depression. The end of his marriage. The moment a former Crusaders teammate came to his house to tell him he was fired. He shares stories that have never been made public - including a stunning incident before the 2015 Rugby World Cup final that nearly ended his campaign entirely. And he gives his most honest assessment yet of what happened to the All Blacks after he left - and why Ian Foster never really had a chance. Between Two Beers is proudly brought to you by One New Zealand. We believe that One NZ connects New Zealand, while Between Two Beers connects New Zealanders. And together, we are NZ's most trusted connection platform. Steve and Seamus are proud to be dressed by Barkers Clothing. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction - Darren Shand joins Between Two Beers 6:15 The All Blacks Club Rooms Tradition Explained 12:23 What Does the All Blacks Team Manager Actually Do? 50:30 Why He Turned Down the 2003 World Cup Job 55:04 Graham Henry's Greatest Leadership Decision 1:00:47 The 2007 World Cup Quarter-Final - What Really Went Wrong 1:07:44 What Made Richie McCaw Special as a Leader 1:20:54 The 2015 RWC Stuff-Up That's Never Been Made Public 1:46:34 The Amazon Deal Was Hell - Inside the Silverlake Saga 1:50:12 Ian Foster Never Had a Chance 2:38:34 Would He Go Back to the All Blacks?