Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Surely a man of Joe Schmidt’s track record could find something better

(Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

It can’t be the money?

Surely a man of Joe Schmidt’s track record, contacts and acumen could find a cushier role than this?

ADVERTISEMENT

A nice number advising a club from afar or a backroom high-performance gig would have to be better than this?

I get why Rugby Australia wanted him as Wallaby coach, even if the initial two-year term isn’t as easy to fathom.

Video Spacer
Video Spacer

I just can’t understand why Schmidt would be interested.

If he’s as keen as he says he is, in raising the level of rugby in Australia, then the Wallabies isn’t the place to do it. It’s on the Rugby Australia staff, installing and overseeing participation programmes at community level and coaching coaches so that the SOS doesn’t have to be sent for a New Zealander every few years.

Until then, as countrymen such as Robbie Deans and Dave Rennie can tell Schmidt, every Wallaby coach is doomed to failure.

There’s a part of me that says good on Schmidt. Coaching rugby is in his blood and has been for decades.

Long before he came to coaching prominence with Ireland, Schmidt was a revered schoolboy coach with seemingly little interest in the limelight of the professional game.

ADVERTISEMENT

That’s one of the curiosities of him choosing to throw his lot in with Australia.

Schmidt, as he’s mentioned many times, has a son with health problems. In declaring he would retire as Ireland coach after the 2019 Rugby World, Schmidt said his family needed to come first.

The same upon his return to New Zealand. He was coaxed into helping out the Blues and then the All Blacks, but not in a forward-facing role. He didn’t want to be the front guy and be doing media and glad-handing sponsors.

Head coaching no longer suited him or his family’s circumstances.

Related

Am I glad Schmidt will now coach the Wallabies? Yes, on the whole.

He’s a terrific coach and I would support any recruitment decision that made that team more competitive.

ADVERTISEMENT

I don’t know if Schmidt can do that, but I’m sure he’s more likely to than any of the Australian options out there.

But I don’t get what’s in it for him.

Just take the Andy Farrell factor for a minute. Farrell, Schmidt’s longtime assistant with Ireland, succeeded him as head coach and arguably did a better job.

Farrell’s now coach of the British & Irish Lions team, who tour Australia in 2025 which, unless there is a contract extension, will be Schmidt’s Wallaby swansong.

Is Australia going to win that series? It’s hard to imagine right now.

Equally, what better way for Schmidt to bow out than beating Farrell’s Lions? Maybe that had an appeal.

I hope Schmidt can do well with the Wallabies. Just as I wished Deans, Rennie and Eddie Jones, for that matter, every success.

I think New Zealand rugby is better when Australian rugby is too. If Schmidt can achieve genuine parity between the Wallabies and All Blacks, then accepting the position will have been a masterstroke.

It’s just that, for the time being, I really don’t understand why he’s done it.

ADVERTISEMENT

HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Men's Highlights

HSBC SVNS Singapore 2025 | Day Two Women's Highlights

Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

Kobelco Kobe Steelers vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

52 Comments
D
DM 441 days ago

He definitely sees it as a challenge and why not, for his part he had a big impact on the All Blacks when they seemed to be floundering around. As has been said if he brings up the quality of the Wallabies that is only to the betterment of the All Blacks, as muchas I would hate to see the Wallabies take the bled it would definitely bring up the competition level. Good luck to him

L
Lyall 442 days ago

A great reply mate 👍🏽👍🏽

S
Shane 444 days ago

People seem to forget that when Schmidt took over Ireland they were ranked 8th in the world, a team that hadn’t beaten the All Blacks in 111 years of trying. He took them to number 1 in the world and not only beat the All Blacks, but set them up to beat them regularly. He’s now taken over Australia, who are ranked 9th in the world and haven’t won the Bledisloe against the ABs in 22 years. This seems like a challenge made for the man. PS I’d rank taking the team from 8th to first as a better record than the guy who took them over and still got knocked out in a quarter.

L
Lyall 442 days ago

Great reply mate

J
JW 443 days ago

Yeah good point. I love the way Ireland play now but apparently that’s not got much to do with their current coach, Farrell, and actually might have more of a foundation from Joe’s time at Leinster?

T
Tom 444 days ago

It's a challenge isn't it. Australia are in a bad way but they are a sleeping giant. It's probably an exciting prospect for a coach to potentially take Australia from rock bottom back to the top.

R
RB 443 days ago

I really hope he takes Aus back to the top, well nearly.

J
Jen 444 days ago

Yeah, I agree. There’s a lot of opportunity for Schmidt in this role.

E
EW 445 days ago

Can any one say why Foster and Schmidt didn't take up the vacant role in Fiji?

L
Lyall 442 days ago

Money talks

J
JW 443 days ago

It's my hunch Schmidt is fully in the AB camp and won't persue a HC role again. I can see him succeeding Wayne Smith. This is both an important partnership for NZR and a good filler for Schmidt who will be working closely with someone who will be doing a similar job to what he could be doing afterwards.

S
Sage 445 days ago

The headline says it all…. A sniffy article from across the ditch. How unusual. Existing relationships involving mutual respect with the new high performance manager, the new advisor, the new Reds coach. Nowhere to go but up. A genuine rugby man taking on a high profile position with a home Lions tour and WC on the horizon. Why on earth indeed. Surely he could find something better than being involved with the Aussies. I have some ideas as to why “you can’t understand”.

J
JW 443 days ago

Yeah I think that relationship one is key. That's the non touring role I think he wants with NZR where he can be with family.

O
OJohn 445 days ago

Getting paid a million dollars a year to undermine Australian rugby, at it’s lowest ebb, where any micro improvement will look great, is a no brainer for Bilbo Schmidt.


A few Zoom calls from his Smial in NZ, while laughing all the way to the bank. What could be more fun ?


Select a few more Tah players to keep his sponsors happy and see Australia fail under a kiwi coach, again. The dream job.


Australia are not impressed by know it all kiwis. End of story. Hard as that is for kiwis to accept.

F
Flatcoat 441 days ago

Eddie and Hamish undermined you mate…

M
Mzilikazi 443 days ago

Man, you sure are consistent, John !

J
JW 443 days ago

He could follow Razors script an let his team do those selections too! You will be impressed 😁

f
frandinand 445 days ago

Still on the booze john.

t
taffy 445 days ago

Great opportunity for Joe with Australia on a record low international profile the only way is up and he will have the chance to be as a coach in the driver seat of change

There is nothing to lose and everything to gain for Joe wounded animals are dangerous there is great rugby talent in Australia who are ready to play and make the difference

Really looking forward to seeing the Wallabies play in 2024 under his guidance and hopefully get back in the Rugby pecking order on the international stage

B
Bob Marler 445 days ago

Maybe it’s the only job on offer? If he’s so amazeballs, why isn’t he being retained in the AB setup?

F
Flatcoat 441 days ago

I don’t think he wants to work for Razor..

J
JW 443 days ago

You mean in his same role? That was an emergency pickup, he didn't want that job. Articles just a vindictive reaction to the Australian medias outcry of his selection.

N
Nickers 445 days ago

Australia have two problems - they need to be competitive immediately, and they need to be competitive long term.


Schmidt is the perfect man to help them with problem 1. The turnaround in the ABs backline after he took over was night and day. I think about how much better the ABs could have been if he was installed after the disastrous NH tour of 2021, instead of persisting with Moar/Plumtree for another year, who despite being successful coaches in their own right had the ABs well off the pace.


I have no doubt the Wallabies that will play the Lions in 18 months will be much better than the Wallabies who played during the World Cup.


They have also found a great solution to problem number 2 - David Nucifora has just moved from Ireland back to Australia in an advisory role - He has been the Irish High Performance Coach for close to 10 years when they have undergone a huge transformation and now have incredible depth across the squad and at U20s. Peter Horne with similar credentials and has been implementing high performance structures in a number of countries including Fiji, has been appointed Australia’s high performance coach.


These three appointments will do more to improve Australian rugby than anything they have done in the past 10 - 15 years as they have gotten progressively worse.

S
Sumkunn Tsadmiova 445 days ago

Very simple - his only aim is eventually to secure the only job that matters to him (indeed every New Zealand coach). So to realise that end goal any international head coach experience is invaluable. Just work down the other nations 1 by one: Sa - no chance, Ireland - no chance, France - no chance, England - no chance, Wales - no chance, Oz - aha, gap.


The split second the ABs come knocking with a head coach offer he’ll resign the same day. Very simple…..

S
Shane 444 days ago

Its common knowledge that the All Blacks wanted Schmidt to take over after Hansen, he turned down applying,

Foster then offered him the role to join his team as an assistant when he was applying, which Schmidt turned down.

He then offered him a similar role when he got the job, again turned down (this was all freely admitted by Foster by the way).

He then took on the non travelling advisor role to start after the Ireland series, but then came into camp when Foster got Covid, which he stayed in & was promoted to full time assistant.

It must be noted that All Blacks Management also asked if he could work with Razor after the 2022 loss to the Boks. So I’m guessing if Schmidt wanted to work with the All Blacks he could.

h
hm 445 days ago

lol. he’s already coached the all blacks… and they’ve just installed the most decorated coach in SR history…

your dreaming. he just wants to make a difference to the world rugby landscape. australia is the most important asset to global rugby rn. if he succeeds, it will arguably mean more than being successful with any other nation.

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

t
tonirobinson362 17 minutes ago
Scotland left stunned as Italy earn first win of Six Nations campaign

A few weeks ago, I came across a YouTube ad that stopped me in my tracks. It looked like a live broadcast of Elon Musk announcing Tesla’s “exclusive crypto project.” The production was flawless, professional, convincing, and eerily realistic. His voice, expressions, mannerisms everything matched what you’d expect from a real Tesla livestream.The ad promised massive returns if you “joined the project” by sending Bitcoin to a wallet address. I was skeptical at first, but the countdown timer, skyrocketing charts, and Elon’s confident pitch chipped away at my doubt. Eventually, I gave in. I sent $8,000 worth of BTC, thinking I was getting in early on a groundbreaking initiative.But just a few hours later, something didn’t sit right. I checked Tesla’s official channels. No mention of any crypto project. My stomach dropped.I rushed to a blockchain explorer and looked up the wallet address I’d sent the funds to. What I saw confirmed my worst fears: my BTC was being split and moved rapidly across multiple wallets in a process known as “smurfing,” a common money laundering technique. I had been scammed.In desperation, I searched for help and came acrossCHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERYa blockchain forensics firm. Honestly, I didn’t expect much but I reached out anyway. To my surprise, they responded quickly and took my case seriously. Their team began tracking the funds in real time, tracing the flow of my BTC through a web of wallets.Incredibly, they managed to link the stolen funds to a wallet connected to an account on Finance, one of the world’s largest crypto exchanges.They didn’t waste a second. Within 48 hours, CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERYhad coordinated with Binance’s security team, who were able to freeze the scammer’s account before the funds could be withdrawn or laundered further.A few days later, the impossible happened the full $8,000 was returned to me.Even now, I can hardly believe it. I went from being scammed by a deepfake crypto con to getting every dollar back, all thanks to the quick action and expertise of CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERY.If you’ve fallen victim to a crypto scam, don’t give up. Get help immediately. Time is critical, and with CHAINTRACE ASSET RECOVERY,recovery is possible.  

WHATSAPP : ‪‪+1 (581) 256‑1989‬‬

TELEGRAM : ‪https://t.me/CHAINTRACE_ASSET_RECOVERY‬ WEBSITE ‪https://chaintraceassetrecovery.com

0 Go to comments
G
Gonzalo Garcia 1 hour ago
English rugby's longest-serving ‘one club man’ prepares to bow out

Investing €40,000 in cryptocurrency through Get Forex com seemed like a smart move until I tried to withdraw my funds At the time, cryptocurrency seemed like a golden opportunity to secure my financial future I had heard countless success stories of people making substantial profits in the market Confident in my decision, I invested, believing that I was making a well-informed choice But little did I know, this decision would lead me into a nightmare that would take months to unravel. For two agonizing months, my money was locked away. Every attempt to recover it was met with delays, excuses, and even demands for more money to "release" my withdrawal Each day felt like an emotional rollercoaster I would contact customer support, hoping for a resolution, only to receive vague responses or worse no response at all It soon became clear that I had fallen victim to a scam The platform had no intention of returning my funds I was devastated, confused, and feeling helpless. As the weeks dragged on, I tried everything I contacted customer support multiple times, but their responses were always vague and unhelpful I followed their unclear instructions, hoping that it would finally lead to my money being released I even researched legal options and consulted with professionals, but no matter what I did, I was unable to make any progress It was as if the scammers were one step ahead at all times My frustration grew, and the thought that I might never see my €40,000 again weighed heavily on me. Just when I thought my money was gone forever, a friend who had experienced something similar recommended Tech Cyber Force Recovery. At that point, I was skeptical but also desperate. I had tried everything, and nothing had worked. What did I have to lose? I decided to give them a chance, though I had serious doubts about whether they could help me recover my funds. To my amazement, Tech Cyber Force Recovery acted swiftly and professionally, Their team launched a thorough investigation, keeping me updated at every step of the process They communicated transparently and regularly, making sure I was never left in the dark Within just five days, they successfully recovered my full €40,000 I couldn’t believe it after months of frustration, what had seemed impossible became reality The relief I felt was indescribable I could finally breathe again. Tech Cyber Force Recovery isn’t just another service; they are true professionals who genuinely care about helping scam victims Their expertise, transparency, and efficiency set them apart from other recovery services They didn't just take my case they took ownership of it Their dedication to my recovery gave me a sense of security and trust I had lost during my ordeal If you’ve lost money to a fraudulent platform, I highly recommend reaching out to them They gave me my life back, and I firmly believe they can do the same for you. Don’t lose hope. Trust Tech Cyber Force Recovery to fight for your money and your peace of mind. They turned my nightmare into a second chance, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.EMAIL... Tech cybers force recovery @ cyber services. com  TELEGRAM... +.1.5.6.1.7.2.6.3.6.9.7

0 Go to comments
G
Gonzalo Garcia 1 hour ago
Vern Cotter reflects on his side's recent turnaround in form

Investing €40,000 in cryptocurrency through Get Forex com seemed like a smart move until I tried to withdraw my funds At the time, cryptocurrency seemed like a golden opportunity to secure my financial future I had heard countless success stories of people making substantial profits in the market Confident in my decision, I invested, believing that I was making a well-informed choice But little did I know, this decision would lead me into a nightmare that would take months to unravel. For two agonizing months, my money was locked away. Every attempt to recover it was met with delays, excuses, and even demands for more money to "release" my withdrawal Each day felt like an emotional rollercoaster I would contact customer support, hoping for a resolution, only to receive vague responses or worse no response at all It soon became clear that I had fallen victim to a scam The platform had no intention of returning my funds I was devastated, confused, and feeling helpless. As the weeks dragged on, I tried everything I contacted customer support multiple times, but their responses were always vague and unhelpful I followed their unclear instructions, hoping that it would finally lead to my money being released I even researched legal options and consulted with professionals, but no matter what I did, I was unable to make any progress It was as if the scammers were one step ahead at all times My frustration grew, and the thought that I might never see my €40,000 again weighed heavily on me. Just when I thought my money was gone forever, a friend who had experienced something similar recommended Tech Cyber Force Recovery. At that point, I was skeptical but also desperate. I had tried everything, and nothing had worked. What did I have to lose? I decided to give them a chance, though I had serious doubts about whether they could help me recover my funds. To my amazement, Tech Cyber Force Recovery acted swiftly and professionally, Their team launched a thorough investigation, keeping me updated at every step of the process They communicated transparently and regularly, making sure I was never left in the dark Within just five days, they successfully recovered my full €40,000 I couldn’t believe it after months of frustration, what had seemed impossible became reality The relief I felt was indescribable I could finally breathe again. Tech Cyber Force Recovery isn’t just another service; they are true professionals who genuinely care about helping scam victims Their expertise, transparency, and efficiency set them apart from other recovery services They didn't just take my case they took ownership of it Their dedication to my recovery gave me a sense of security and trust I had lost during my ordeal If you’ve lost money to a fraudulent platform, I highly recommend reaching out to them They gave me my life back, and I firmly believe they can do the same for you. Don’t lose hope. Trust Tech Cyber Force Recovery to fight for your money and your peace of mind. They turned my nightmare into a second chance, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.EMAIL... Tech cybers force recovery @ cyber services. com  TELEGRAM... +.1.5.6.1.7.2.6.3.6.9.7

3 Go to comments
G
Gonzalo Garcia 2 hours ago
Ex-All Blacks left confused after bizarre game strategy

Investing €40,000 in cryptocurrency through Get Forex com seemed like a smart move until I tried to withdraw my funds At the time, cryptocurrency seemed like a golden opportunity to secure my financial future I had heard countless success stories of people making substantial profits in the market Confident in my decision, I invested, believing that I was making a well-informed choice But little did I know, this decision would lead me into a nightmare that would take months to unravel. For two agonizing months, my money was locked away. Every attempt to recover it was met with delays, excuses, and even demands for more money to "release" my withdrawal Each day felt like an emotional rollercoaster I would contact customer support, hoping for a resolution, only to receive vague responses or worse no response at all It soon became clear that I had fallen victim to a scam The platform had no intention of returning my funds I was devastated, confused, and feeling helpless. As the weeks dragged on, I tried everything I contacted customer support multiple times, but their responses were always vague and unhelpful I followed their unclear instructions, hoping that it would finally lead to my money being released I even researched legal options and consulted with professionals, but no matter what I did, I was unable to make any progress It was as if the scammers were one step ahead at all times My frustration grew, and the thought that I might never see my €40,000 again weighed heavily on me. Just when I thought my money was gone forever, a friend who had experienced something similar recommended Tech Cyber Force Recovery. At that point, I was skeptical but also desperate. I had tried everything, and nothing had worked. What did I have to lose? I decided to give them a chance, though I had serious doubts about whether they could help me recover my funds. To my amazement, Tech Cyber Force Recovery acted swiftly and professionally, Their team launched a thorough investigation, keeping me updated at every step of the process They communicated transparently and regularly, making sure I was never left in the dark Within just five days, they successfully recovered my full €40,000 I couldn’t believe it after months of frustration, what had seemed impossible became reality The relief I felt was indescribable I could finally breathe again. Tech Cyber Force Recovery isn’t just another service; they are true professionals who genuinely care about helping scam victims Their expertise, transparency, and efficiency set them apart from other recovery services They didn't just take my case they took ownership of it Their dedication to my recovery gave me a sense of security and trust I had lost during my ordeal If you’ve lost money to a fraudulent platform, I highly recommend reaching out to them They gave me my life back, and I firmly believe they can do the same for you. Don’t lose hope. Trust Tech Cyber Force Recovery to fight for your money and your peace of mind. They turned my nightmare into a second chance, and I’ll be forever grateful for that.EMAIL... Tech cybers force recovery @ cyber services. com  TELEGRAM... +.1.5.6.1.7.2.6.3.6.9.7

5 Go to comments
W
WinnyJacks 5 hours ago
Bath dismiss Gloucester to set up Challenge Cup semi against Edinburgh

BEST RECOVERY EXPERT FOR CRYPTOCURRENCY HIRE CERTIFIED / REVENANT CYBER HACKER

It seemed like an eternity of ups and downs, but at last came the moment of victory. I was able to get my lost Bitcoin back with the help of REVENANT CYBER HACKER, a highly qualified group committed to assisting people like me in recovering their lost cryptocurrency. My shoulders seemed to be lighter, and I couldn't help but rejoice in this moment of victory. It's impossible for me to adequately describe the relief and happiness I felt after finding my lost investment. It was more than simply the financial worth of bitcoin; it was also about the feeling of fairness and the certainty that experts exist who can guide you through the murkiest parts of the cryptocurrency world. Professional recovery companies like REVENANT CYBER HACKER have the knowledge and specific equipment needed to manage the intricate realm of Bitcoin recovery. They know how to apply cutting-edge techniques to recover lost money, are skilled at handling a variety of frauds, and are knowledgeable about the nuances of blockchain technology. Their resources and experience can have a big impact on the healing process and provide people a chance to get their money back. It is important to realise that seeking professional assistance is a smart and considered decision rather than a sign of weakness if you want to increase your chances of making a full recovery. The capacity of professional recovery teams to assist people in avoiding typical pitfalls and frauds during the recovery process is one of the main advantages of working with them. These groups can offer helpful advice to prevent people from falling into scammers' traps because they are knowledgeable about their methods. People who seek professional assistance can go through the recovery process with confidence, knowing that experts are available to support them and keep them safe. Making this choice can save money, but it can also save important time and mental stress. My involvement with REVENANT CYBER HACKER has instilled in me the value of accepting obstacles and obtaining expert assistance when confronted with apparently insurmountable tasks. Admitting that you require the knowledge and assistance of those who are familiar with the nuances of cryptocurrency recovery is OK. You cannot succeed on your own. It is important to always value the qualities of perseverance and patience. Although getting back lost cryptocurrency is rarely easy, success is achievable if one has a strong will and the perseverance to keep going. It's critical to seek professional advice, but it's also critical to exercise caution. There are reputable recovery teams, such as REVENANT CYBER HACKER, but there are also con artists and false agencies. Choose carefully who you trust with your recovery path; educate yourself, do your homework. My experience with REVENANT CYBER HACKER changed the course of the difficult process of getting my lost Bitcoin back.

Email : revenantcyberhacker ( @ ) gmail (. ) com  

Telegram: revenantcyberhacker

WhatsApp: + 1 (208) 425-8584

WhatsApp: + 1 (913) 820-0739

0 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Super Rugby Pacific performers of the week round nine Super Rugby Pacific performers of the week
Search