ANDY THE MAN
„Defensive guru Farrell will take up Ireland reins „Schmidt won’t coach after Japan World Cup
JOE SCHMIDT shocked the rugby world yesterday with his decision to ‘finish coaching’ after next year’s World Cup in Japan.
Schmidt will step aside from the game to give his full attention to his family, but the IRFU have acted fast in trying to ease worries of Irish fans by appointing Schmidt’s No 2 Andy Farrell as new Ireland boss when that time comes.
Since he succeeded Declan Kidney as Ireland head coach in April 2013, Schmidt has overseen an unprecedented era of success and has guided Ireland to a treble of Six Nations titles,
including one Grand Slam, two victories over the All Blacks, a series win in Australia and a maiden victory on South African soil.
Next year’s Six Nations will be Schmidt’s sixth and final championship in charge and the Kiwi will look to end his tenure by guiding Ireland to World Cup glory in Japan.
After that, he will step back from the game to focus on his family.
‘I have decided to finish coaching and will prioritise family commitments after the World Cup in 2019,’ he said yesterday.
‘I feel that Irish rugby is in good hands. The management and players have been incredible to work with and the tremendous support we have had, particularly at home in the Aviva, but where ever we have travelled has been uplifting.
‘There are some inspiring challenges over the next 11 months so there’s plenty of motivation for me to continue working hard, alongside the other management staff, so that the team can be as competitive as possible.’
Schmidt has been involved in toplevel coaching since he left his role as deputy principal at Tauranga Boys College to link up with Vern Cotter at Bay of Plenty in 2003.
After a three-season stint with the Auckland Blues, Schmidt and Cotter joined up once more at Clermont and guided the French club to their first Top 14 title. Leinster came calling for Schmidt in 2010 with the province appearing in six finals during his three-season tenure. Schmidt won four of those, including backto-back Heineken Cups.
The IRFU announced their succession plan yesterday with defence coach Andy Farrrell to succeed Schmidt after next year’s World Cup.
Farrell, who joined the backroom team in 2016, has signed a contract extension until the 2023 World Cup in France. The current backroom team of forwards coach Simon Easterby, scrum specialist Greg Feek and skills coach Richie Murphy are all contracted until 2020.
Farrell may seek to add Stuart Lancaster to his coaching ticket. Farrell worked under Lancaster for four seasons in the England set-up, and Leinster’s senior coach has made a huge impression since he arrived at the province at the end of 2016.
‘It is a privilege to be considered for such a prestigious role,’ said Farrell.
‘I have learned a lot from Joe over the past few seasons and I will continue to learn from him over the next year as the coaching group and players focus on competing in two huge tournaments in 2019.’
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen is set to make a decision on his future before Christmas. Hansen is out of contract after the World Cup and there was strong speculation that Schmidt would replace his fellow countryman.
Schmidt will return home after the World Cup along with his wife, Kellie, and their children Tim, Ella and Luke. His eldest daughter, Abby, is already back living in New Zealand.
After almost 16 years coaching at the top level, Schmidt, who spoke of his ‘workaholic’ personality last weekend, is, understandably, taking a well-earned break from the game.
Still, there will be many clubs and unions looking to get Schmidt back on the training paddock. The 53year-old would be a prime candidate to lead the Lions to South Africa in the summer of 2021.
For now, he will be putting all his energies into an exciting 11 months with Ireland and veteran full-back Rob Kearney is in no doubt that Schmidt will leave a lasting legacy.
‘We’ve got some superb coaches in Ireland, genuinely really good coaches, and I think one of the great things about Joe is that he will want to leave this Irish team in a better place than he found it,’ he said.
‘So he will want to ensure he leaves with systems in place to go and succeed, and continue to compete with the very best. The IRFU have great contingency plans in place, and Joe will have helped a great deal with that.
‘What Joe has done for Irish rugby has been incredible.’
Meanwhile, Leinster confirmed that Jordan Larmour has undergone a minor surgical procedure on his knee while Jack Conan will await further assessment on an AC joint injury picked up in Ireland’s victory over the US Eagles.
Munster are also assessing wing Darren Sweetnam, who picked up a back injury in the same game.