Schmidt to step down after 2019 World Cup
WORLD coach of the year ar Joe Schmidt (pictured, AFP) is to step down as Ireland handler ndler after next year’s World Cup p and be replaced by their defence fence guru Andy Farrell the Irish R u g by Fo o t b a l l Un n i o n announced on Monday.
The 53-year-old New Zealander – named coach of the year on Sunday – says he e will take time out of coaching ng to prioritise his family.
This may lay to rest the he rumours linking him with potentially taking over world champions New Zealand were Steve Hansen to announce ce in December he too is stepping pping down after the World Cup. p.
Schmidt has guided the Irish to unprecedented success ess in his tenure since taking over the reins of a demoral i s ed outfi t i n 2013.
Under him they have won three Six Nations t i t l es – including this year’s Grand Slam – and t wo h i s t o r i c w i n s o v e r world cham- pions New Zealand, including a first ever win over them on Irish soil in an epic 16-9 victory earlier this month. Schmidt will next n year hope to set right the o one major disappointment in his reign – the humbling by A Argentina in the 2015World Cu Cup quarter-finals – and deliver de the Webb Ellis trophy tr to Ireland for th the first time. Sc Schmidt, who was hir hired as Ireland co coach on the back o of a successful spell at Irish province Leinster winning s u c c e s s i v e E European Cups (2011 (2011/12), has often spoke spoken about how little he gets to see his fami f amily with t he dem demands of the job. On One of Schmidt’s four children Luke suffers from epilepsy and the coach has become heavily involved in the epilepsy charity in Ireland.
“I have decided to finish coaching and will prioritise family commitments after the RWC in 2019. I feel that Irish rugby is in good hands.” said Schmidt.
“The management and players have been incredible to work with and the tremendous support we have had, particularly at Lansdowne Road, but where ever we have travelled has been uplifting.”
‘Building the road forward’
David Nucifora, the IRFU’S Director of Rugby, concurred with others such as captain Rory Best and world player of the year fly-half Johnny Sexton that Schmidt’s contribution had changed the face of the sport in Ireland.
“Regardless of what happens on the pitch over this period of time we are all clearly aware and thankful of the better place that Joe will be leaving Irish Rugby in post the Rugby World Cup,” he said.
Farrell, a former England r ugby l e a g ue g re a t who switched codes and represented England in union as well, has been instrumental also in Ireland’s success since being hired in 2016.
“I have learned a lot from Joe over the past few seasons and I will continue to learn from him over the next year,” said Farrell.