Joe Schmidt will step down as Wallabies coach at the end of The Rugby Championship, leaving Rugby Australia chasing a new coach to lead into the 2027 World Cup.
Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss is the frontrunner for the role, with Schmidt deciding not to extend his time with Australia beyond this year’s TRC competition.
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt before the Autumn Nations Series match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
The 59-year-old has been wavering over his future with his son’s health issues believed to be a major factor in his decision.
Schmidt’s wife and son live in New Zealand and his son has epilepsy and requires constant medical care.
Kiss will have competition from Dan McKellar and Stephen Larkham for the job, while Michael Cheika will be back in Australia later this year. Overseas options will be explored and Rugby Australia has indicated a decision will be announced before the end of Schmidt’s tenure with the new coach taking over for the Spring Tests.
Schmidt was initially contracted to the end of the Lions tour, so RA spun Thursday’s news as a contract extension to take in the TRC. It’s no secret that RA wanted Schmidt to carry on into next year and preferably through to the World Cup on home soil.
“We are delighted Joe will continue to coach the Wallabies beyond his current contract,” said High Performance director Peter Horne in a statement.
“After noting the positive impact Joe has made with the Wallabies playing and coaching staff, we were keen that he stay on after the Lions series.
“Joe expressed to us that he was enjoying his work with the Wallabies while also making clear his need to spend more time at home with his family.”
Schmidt said in the statement: “I am very much enjoying my time with Australian Rugby. The British and Irish Lions is our immediate focus but, with the Rugby Championship following so closely after the Lions Series, I understand the need for continuity heading into two away Test matches against South Africa.”
RA CEO Phil Waugh unveiled Joe Schmidt as the Wallabies’ new head coach in Sydney on January 19, 2024. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Rugby Australia CEO praised the work Schmidt has done in the wake of the Eddie Jones debacle at the 2023 World Cup.
“Joe’s drive, knowledge and work ethic have been instrumental in restoring pride in the Wallabies jersey and energising supporters around the country ahead of an extraordinary runway of major events that starts with the arrival of the British & Irish Lions in June,” said Waugh.
“We are pleased that Joe has extended his involvement with the Wallabies beyond his initial contract and look forward to beginning the process of recruiting his successor.”
The Roar understands Schmidt is happy to continue with RA in a consultancy capacity beyond the Rugby Championship, but any announcement on him staying on won’t occur before the next head coach is confirmed.
But after three coaches in as many years, players undoubtedly will have been left disappointed by the news a fourth in four years is on its way.
Schmidt’s departure is expected to see a complete coaching overhaul, with the next head coach expected to be given autonomy on who they want to bring in.
Les Kiss (L) is the favourite to take over from Joe Schmidt (R). Photo: Seb Daly / SPORTSFILE, via Getty Images)
“I’ve got too much respect for Joe to go down that pathway,” Kiss told reporters at Ballymore, standing alongside Reds captains Liam Wright and Tate McDermott.
“I can give you one thing, myself, Zane [Hilton], Jonathan Fisher … the professional staff that we have that lead our performance program are contracted here, so we’re going to be doing our best to deliver what’s necessary for this team to go forward and be better every day. That’s important.
“We’ve got to get focussed on the Reds and go forward, that’s what we’re excited about.”
Hours earlier that January day, McKellar, who signed his own three-year deal with the Waratahs, who are owned by RA, last year, also batted away questions surrounding his interest in the Wallabies head coaching role.
“No, I’m just head down, bum up, just getting stuck into this,” the former Wallabies assistant said.
“I’m genuinely keen and excited. I think if we can get things right here, that’s going to help Rugby Australia. I’ve come back to help [and] I think I can do that.”
“Mate, I’m contracted here for the next three years, so that’s all I’m worrying about,” he said. “We’ll give Joe the space that he needs to make his decision and crack on.”
With Christy Doran