Door still open to Messr Schmidt
NEW Zealand Rugby failed with its last attempt to lure Joe Schmidt home but the door has been left wide open for the successful Irish mentor to join the All Blacks coaching ranks after the next World Cup.
Schmidt guided Ireland to a historic 40-29 victory over the All Blacks in Chicago last week – the first win in 111 years and 29 attempts.
Kawakawa-born, Woodvilleraised Schmidt has long been highly regarded. Earlier this year he was shoulder tapped about returning to New Zealand, with head coaching roles up for grabs at the Chiefs and Highlanders in 2017, but instead recommitted to Ireland through to the 2019 World Cup.
It is understood family was a major factor in that decision. Schmidt’s son receives specialist medical care in Dublin.
NZ Rugby chief executive Steve Tew made a point of catching up with Schmidt and former All Blacks prop Greg Feek, who oversees Ireland’s set piece, after the shock defeat at Soldier Field.
‘‘They were both a bit sheepish actually,’’ Tew said. ‘‘I congratulated them but I suspect coaching the first Irish team to beat the All Blacks will be a little bittersweet. But they are both outstanding coaches.’’
The famous Irish upset has only increased Schmidt’s stocks.
The 51-year-old left New Zealand nine years ago after holding coaching roles at Bay of Plenty and the Blues. He has since established his credentials as one of the world’s leading tacticians, claiming two Six Nations crowns and two Heineken Cup titles along the way.
‘‘There’s been plenty of dialogue with Joe over an on-going period of time,’’ Tew said. ‘‘I personally didn’t know Joe particularly well before he left but he’s always been a nice person; very considered and very bright. His coaching career was in its infancy when he left but if you look at his success he’s done good things wherever he has gone.
‘‘We’re not surprised. He is a very, very good coach. He gets the best out of his teams and is a very analytical coach. You saw that on Saturday. They’d thought through how to best put our guys under pressure and they were able to execute.’’
Even before the Irish triumph, Schmidt was one of the contenders to replace All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, widely expected to step down after eight years at the helm by 2019.
Criteria for the All Blacks head coach role states candidates must be coaching within New Zealand 12 months prior to the vacancy, or have completed three successive years with any Kiwi teams. The latter clause expires after five years away from NZ. Previous World Cup experience is also preferable.
Tew, however, now indicated flexibility around those stipulations, and also suggested Schmidt could be interested in returning as an All Blacks assistant coach. ‘‘It does allow the board to appoint a candidate that does not meet those criteria on a case-by-case basis for what is in the best interests of New Zealand rugby. We want to encourage our guys to stay and be ready to coach in New Zealand. If you’re thinking about a number of guys who are away right now not all of them will aspire to be the next All Blacks head coach.
‘‘Let’s assume there will be some vacancies and there’ll be more than one probably so there are a variety of roles in play. Having spent a bit of time talking to Joe Schmidt myself he certainly hasn’t got it in his mind that he has to be the head coach in the next gig he gets. He’s equally open to fulfilling a role in a team of coaches if the opportunity is right and the mix of people is right and it excites him. We’ll keep all those doors open.
‘‘I know he will come back to New Zealand when it is right for him and his family and the role he takes will not be ego driven. It will be whatever is best for the team he is going into. Our job is to make sure all those guys here, Ian Foster as an example, but also the others coaching in Super Rugby and overseas are all encouraged to keep getting better.’’
‘ I know he will come back to New Zealand when it is right for him and his family.’ STEVE TEW