Chiefs signal Schmidt interest
Joe Schmidt will be a wanted man should he return to New Zealand rugby next year.
The Highlanders have already signalled interest in luring the widely-regarded Kiwi-born Irish coach. Now, the Chiefs have joined his list of suitors.
The Chiefs’ preference is to resign Dave Rennie, who is contracted until the end of the 2018 season but has an out clause after next year’s campaign. Rennie has, however, been open about his desire to coach abroad, both to further his well-established credentials and to travel with family. Ironically, Rennie could be the next coach of Ireland and, in the process, swap roles with Schmidt.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is expected to sign through to the 2019 World Cup before next month’s Rugby Championship, extending his deal by two years and pushing out the window for the likes of Rennie to progress. And with all indications pointing to Schmidt moving home next year, a battle for his services in Super Rugby appears to be brewing.
‘‘Joe is definitely a guy we’d be interested in having a discussion with,’’ Chiefs chief executive Andrew Flexman said. ‘‘I’ve been made aware of the fact there’s the potential for him to look at moving home next year and there’s been some attention around the Highlanders having some interest in him.
‘‘If he was to return, given his pedigree and personal circumstances and the fact he’s coached in the Bay of Plenty, he’s certainly a guy we’d love to talk to. Given what he’s achieved in his coaching career if we are looking to appoint a new head coach then he’d be an obvious candidate.’’
Flexman stressed retaining Rennie remained the focus but acknowledged succession planning was underway to ensure the Chiefs are not left exposed.
‘‘We’re pretty transparent with each other,’’ Flexman said of Rennie. ‘‘There’s no doubt he’s got interest from Europe - and there’s some serious money circulating in that market these days. We’re well aware of that but we’re working hard to keep him. We’re turning our minds to life after Dave Rennie now, albeit the hope being that at the very least we’re not going to have to confront that situation until the end of 2018.
‘‘If I’m brutally honest I think it’s probably 50/50. I don’t think he’s hell-bent on leaving. Such is the nature of the man he craves success and won’t walk into a step-up that’s not ideal. It depends a lot on what’s put in-front of him internationally and where he’s at with his family.’’
If next year proves to be Rennie’s sixth and final with the Chiefs a number of candidates could replace him. Chiefs assistant and former long-serving Tasman coach Kieran Keane; New Zealand-born Scotland coach Vern Cotter and Taranaki mentor Colin Cooper may all be considered. Schmidt will clearly be favourite, though.
Highlanders boss Roger Clark was not keen to elaborate further on his initial discussion with Schmidt, saying nothing more had been done in regards to planning for the 2018 head coach role once Tony Brown joins Jamie Joseph in Japan. But Clark did confirm former Hurricanes turned Sunwolves coach Mark Hammett had not been promised the top job.
‘‘I’ve signed Mark Hammett and Scott McLeod until 2019 as assistant coaches but obviously they both have the opportunity to put their hand up for 2018 along with everyone else we’re talking to.’’