The New Zealand Rugby Union have announced that former Chiefs coach Ian Foster and former All Blacks fly-half Grant Fox have joined the national team coaching staff.

Foster will take the role of assistant coach while Grant will be a selector for newly-appointed head coach Steve Hansen.

Former Hurricanes assistant Brian "Aussie" McLean will join the staff as defence coach.

"This is a great honour to work with the All Blacks. I'm thankful for the faith that Steve Hansen and the Board have shown in me," Foster said.

"I think the time I have had with the Chiefs and the Junior All Blacks has given me a taste of coaching at an international level, and this is a huge privilege for me."

Hansen said that he was delighted with the new appointments.

"Grant Fox is not only a legend of our game but also one of the most astute people," he said.

"I wanted to find someone independent from the team who had the ability to break down a player's game, analyse their strengths and weaknesses and bring a fresh viewpoint to the selection process, and he's that man."

The new skills coach will be announced in the New Year.