Schmidt appointment may jar but be a boon

In a move that is bound to reverberate across the rugby world, former All Blacks assistant coach Joe Schmidt has taken the reins as the head coach of the Wallabies. The announcement, announced yesterday, will see Schmidt succeed Eddie Jones, who resigned in October following a challenging period for the Australian team.

Schmidt, a highly respected figure in the rugby community, brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having previously coached Ireland from 2013 to 2019, he played a pivotal role in guiding the team to three Six Nations titles and historic victories over the All Blacks, breaking a century-long drought in 2016. Most recently he served as an assistant coach with the All Blacks during the 2023 World Cup, finishing runners-up to South Africa.

Despite other candidates, including former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and Leicester coach Dan McKellar, Schmidt emerged as the frontrunner. He was reportedly reluctant to join the Wallabies ranks, given Australia’s recent struggles that culminated in a World Cup quarter-final miss. However, the prospect of reuniting with former colleagues, including Peter Horne and David Nucifora, seems to have swayed Schmidt towards this new challenge.

For New Zealand rugby fans, seeing Schmidt guide the Wallabies to a Bledisloe Cup win would undoubtedly sting. The idea of a

For New Zealand rugby fans, seeing Schmidt guide the Wallabies to a Bledisloe Cup win would undoubtedly sting.

successful Australia, led by a Kiwi coach, may be a bitter pill to swallow initially. However, a deeper reflection suggests this development could be a catalyst for positive change. A stronger Wallabies team would force New Zealand to continually improve. In the long run, a successful Australia could contribute to the enhancement of rugby in the Southern Hemisphere.