Schmidt turns back on potential ABs role
WELLINGTON: Joe Schmidt has turned his back on a potential dream job in charge of the All Blacks by quitting international coaching.
Through his deeds with Ireland, Schmidt had become the hottest property in world rugby and was the frontrunner to succeed Steve Hansen as coach of the All Blacks after next year’s World Cup.
However, the 53yearold New Zealander shocked rugby followers a day after being named world coach of the year by announcing he would hang up his clipboard completely when the global tournament concluded in Japan next November.
He wants to prioritise his family, including son Luke, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at age 4 and suffers from epilepsy.
Hansen is yet to announce if he will stand aside as All Blacks coach after the World Cup, when he will try to steer them to a third straight title.
If Hansen were to leave, Schmidt would have been the standout replacement after six triumphant seasons with Ireland, capped by an emphatic win over the All Blacks in Dublin this month.
The landscape has now shifted considerably. The allblacks.com website noted yesterday that: ‘‘[Schmidt’s] decision immediately rules him out of the possibility of being considered as a potential All Blacks coach in the future.’’
Hansen’s longserving assistant, Ian Foster, will be a strong contender for promotion if New Zealand hoists the Webb Ellis Cup.
A number of top Kiwi coaches in the northern hemisphere boast compelling CVs, including Warren Gatland, Dave Rennie, Vern Cotter, Jamie Joseph and Pat Lam, while twotime Super Rugbywinning Crusaders coach Scott Robertson has the best case among local contenders.
They would have struggled to head off Schmidt, who was an assistant coach with the Blues from 200407 before enjoying domestic success in Europe with Clermont Auvergne and Leinster.
After taking charge of eighthranked Ireland in 2013, he has steered it to second in the world after clinching three Six Nations crowns, two wins in its past three tests against New Zealand and a series victory in Australia.
Schmidt’s defence coach and former British rugby league international Andy Farrell will take charge of Ireland after the World Cup. — AAP