OPINION: Unlike other international coaches, Ian Foster isn't going anywhere before next year's Rugby World Cup - but that doesn't mean his employers won't pay very close attention to what's happening to other international coaches over the last few days.
Since Monday, both Wales coach Wayne Pivac and England's Eddie Jones have been sacked. Neither dismissal is overly surprising.
NZ Rugby has already lost one employee as a result, with Warren Gatland answering an SOS from his old side Wales to return for a second stint.
England's current vacancy is more intriguing, and potentially concerning for chief executive Mark Robinson, head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum and NZ Rugby powerbrokers.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has been closely linked with the RFU as a potential replacement for Jones.
An offer to him would create a nightmare scenario for NZ Rugby - a scenario that may force its hand. NZ Rugby is not yet in a position to offer anyone - Robertson, Foster, Jamie Joseph or any other potential suitors - the All Blacks job for 2024 and beyond.
Newshub understands the national union is considering a break in tradition and appointing the next All Blacks coach before next year's World Cup. Robinson hinted as much this week, but that has not been agreed at board level.
If an English RFU offer is made to Robertson, NZ Rugby would almost certainly let him go, but if reports out of the UK are true, it may have just bought itself some time.
Leicester Tigers coach and former England captain Steve Borthwick has reportedly been all but offered the head coach role. Borthwick is well respected among the England players and has done a fine job with Leicester.
For a union that is conservative at heart, Borthwick appears a safer and more reliable pair of hands for the RFU, but his arrival at Twickenham could potentially provide the Panadol for a giant headache for NZ Rugby.
With both Wales and England out of the picture, Robertson can focus solely on capturing a staggering seventh Super Rugby title with the Crusaders and suddenly NZ Rugby can make a call on the All Blacks job on their own terms - but there will be other teams circling.
Dave Rennie is off contract after the World Cup and if Rugby Australia see an available Robertson as an option, they may just swoop.
The same could be said for Scotland.
With that in mind, whoever takes charge of the All Blacks from 2024 must be sorted before the World Cup kicks off in France, which may require for some uncomfortable conversations for NZ Rugby, if indeed it opts not to renew Foster's contract.
International rugby clearly waits for no-one and won't wait for NZ Rugby to get its affairs in order.
Ollie Ritchie is Newshub's rugby reporter
