Joe Schmidt gets All Blacks role

Planet Rugby

Ireland’s tour to New Zealand in June – Covid permitting – will now be against a team selected by former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt among others, according to New Zealand media.

Schmidt has been in a support role at the Blues in Auckland recently, prior to which he was in a High Performance Pathway role at World Rugby. He had cited the desire to spend more time with his family when he stepped away from Ireland after the 2019 World Cup.

Pressure

But with long-time selector Grant Fox said to be stepping down from the All Blacks selection panel, Schmidt will be linking up with the current coaching staff ahead of Ireland’s tour, just as the coaching staff is under immense pressure.

Still only 56, Schmidt has plenty to offer and a high reputation despite Ireland’s poor World Cup. He had already been approached by New Zealand in 2017 to be Wayne Smith’s successor. He led Ireland to three Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam in 2018.

He has also worked already at Ireland with incumbent New Zealand assistant coach John Plumtree and scrum coach Greg Feek. There is plenty of cross-pollination between the Irish and New Zealand, making June’s tour all the more intriguing.