1
Joe Schmidt will succeed Eddie Jones as next Wallabies coach - report
By Grant Constable
Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt is expected to be named as Eddie Jones’ successor at the helm of the Wallabies, with an official announcement to come in the next few days.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Schmidt is the favoured option for Rugby Australia following a disastrous year and 2023 Rugby World Cup that saw them head home before the knock-out stages for the first time ever.
It was capped off by Jones resigning in October, despite having initially signed a five-year deal.
In contrast, Schmidt was part of the All Blacks coaching staff that took them to the final.
The deal is reportedly all but done, with just paperwork needing to be finalised.
Schmidt had a successful run with Ireland from 2013 to 2019 that saw them beat the All Blacks twice, win the Six Nations three times and reach number one in the world for the first time ever.
While Australians Michael Cheika and Dan McKellar had also been linked with the job, 58-year-old New Zealander Schmidt looks set to be the man entrusted by Rugby Australia to drive things forward in the lead up to them hosting the next Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Expressions of interest for the Wallabies coaching role closed last Friday, and it’s believed that with former Ireland director of rugby David Nucifora now a prominent figure in Rugby Australia, Schmidt was always going to be the front runner.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Jake White: Ireland, Australia and Wales have the same problem
3
David Campese names his Springbok world player of the year winner
4
Let's be real about these All Blacks
5
Latest Comments
I dont believe Skelton has ever proven himself at test level tho Nick. Yep he played well against a side they scored plenty against but his record v the top sides isnt special. Good quality player but Im not as convinced about him as you seem to be, as you base most of your opinion on his local club stuff not really his test performances. His test record of 30 tests in 10 years explains itself very well. I think he is an honest performer but certainly not a top notch International player.
Go to commentsI wonder Jake, who do you think is the best fit for Australia as a coach? Not since Joe Schmidt took over as coach did Australia look any good, however, there is always this debate around not having an Aussie coach by the fans and so called pundits and old players.
Some of them are changing their minds now however, but I would love to see who you would choose. I think Joe Schmidt is an excellent coach, who puts in everything for the team he is coaching. To him, there is no such thing as being biased.
Go to comments