Schmidt is future All Blacks coach, says Smith
ALL BLACKS legend Conrad Smith has said that Joe Schmidt is firmly in the running to lead his native New Zealand. Schmidt’s stock has never been higher, and as well as being celebrated here as the finest coach Ireland have ever had, his standing in the world game has soared since he arrived in this country eight years ago. His contract with the IRFU runs to the end of the World Cup in 2019, after which time he is expected to return to his homeland. And two-time World Cup winner Smith spoke glowingly of his countryman in Dublin yesterday, saying he would be welcomed back given what he has achieved in the game. ‘He’s doing great with Ireland, and he’s someone who could potentially come back and coach the All Blacks,’ said Smith. ‘There are a few around. It’s not an outrageous thought, and it’s [been raised] before now, the last two or three years he was already talked about as someone we’d love
to have back,’ he added.
Schmidt has been heavily linked with the All Blacks role in the past, but Ireland’s Grand Slam success last weekend, and the recognition that they are now second only to New Zealand in the world, has ramped up that speculation.
Steve Hansen, the current coach of New Zealand, will be in charge of the champions for their defence in Japan next year, after which he is expected to leave.
And in an interview before the start of the Six Nations, Schmidt intimated that he sees the end of his current contract as the time to return.
‘I would definitely go back for a period of time,’ he said then.
‘I think Kellie [his wife] and I will both get back, because of the age of our parents.’
It was presumed that Schmidt would have to reintegrate into the New Zealand Super Rugby system before assuming the main job, but that thinking has been challenged by the extent of his success with Ireland.
And Smith did not think his long absence from the country since being an assistant coach at the Blues in Auckland, would be a problem.
‘The fact [is that] Steve and Graham [Henry] did similar things (both men coached Wales). People realise it’s a global game.
‘It really helps if you’ve been over and experienced the way rugby is played and operates up here, it can only help your CV and your intel about the game, so I don’t think that’d be much of an issue.’
Smith was speaking at an event to mark the move to Dublin of International Rugby Players, the global players’ representative body.
He was joined there by Jamie Heaslip, who paid rich tribute to Schmidt and said it didn’t surprise him his former Leinster and Ireland coach’s services would attract huge interest.
‘I’m not surprised there will be high demand for Joe. Him and Stuart Lancaster are the best coaches that I’ve ever worked with,’ said Heaslip.
‘Joe has played a massive role in my career, a massive role in a lot of players’ careers, and he’s played a massive role in shaping Irish rugby.’
And Heaslip said planning for life after Schmidt will be something that is already occupying the minds of the IRFU.
Two names consistently linked with succeeding Schmidt are Stuart Lancaster and current Irish defence coach, Andy Farrell.
‘I think in any business, succession planning is huge. And sport is no different in terms of having the people ready to step up, having people ready to manage it.
‘Maybe you split that role or not, I don’t know, but planning for it is important.
‘You can’t live in a fairytale world and think that one person is going to stay in that position forever.
‘It’s like a player: you can’t think you’re going to be the player forever.
‘It’s not on him to plan for the future in terms of his position,’ reasoned Heaslip. ‘It’s on the IRFU, and I’m sure they’re aware of that.’
Johnny Sexton was also present at the event, and he credited the management of Ireland’s players’ welfare in winning the Slam.
He said the success of the vaunted player management system in this country meant he could target the summer tour to Australia. It has been suggested that Schmidt could leave critical components of his team, like Sexton, Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Rory Best, at home for the trip Down Under. Sexton, though, said he wants to tour. ‘We’re well looked after so the amount of minutes they want you to play in a season is calculated and, look, at times you’ll pick up a knock and you’ll miss a game here or there and you’ll pick that up at the other end of the season. ‘Our whole game minutes are planned so we can go to Australia, so we can play for Ireland in the summer tours and we’re still fit and ready to do it. I would like to go.’ He is confident of being fully fit for Leinster’s Champions Cup quarter-final against Saracens on Easter Sunday. He endured a number of niggles through the Six Nations, and also passed a head injury assessment at Twickenham on Saturday. ‘I should be good to go, yeah. I’ve a bit of work to do this week to get right and hopefully I’ll be alright next week.’