Simon Zebo: Wallabies will ‘improve tenfold’ under Joe Schmidt as Munster legend hails ex-Ireland boss despite strained relationship
Simon Zebo talking with Joe Schmidt while both in Ireland camp.
Former Ireland star Simon Zebo expects Joe Schmidt to have a positive impact as the Wallabies’ new head coach.
The 58-year-old was announced as Eddie Jones’ successor in January on an initial deal which runs until the end of the British and Irish Lions tour in 2025.
Schmidt has one of the most highly respected rugby minds in the sport, but he has a big task on his hands to turn Australia’s fortunes around.
Former boss Jones endured a disastrous 10 months in charge, winning just two of his nine matches – against Georgia and Portugal – as they exited the Rugby World Cup pool stages for the first time ever.
Issues since 2019
Before that, Dave Rennie was the person selected to lead after the 2019 global tournament, but he ended with a 36.4 per cent win ratio.
The governing body, Rugby Australia, are also struggling, with the Melbourne Rebels being axed due to their financial issues and the departures of Wallabies Mark Nawaqanitawase and Carter Gordon to rugby league.
It is a tall order for Schmidt but many believe that the New Zealander could be the person to revitalise the national team.
Zebo certainly thinks so having played under him at Ireland. The Munster back was appearing on the Kick Offs and Kick Ons podcast and was initially asked whether Australian supporters were getting a bit too excited.
“Yeah, you’re getting ahead of yourselves! I’m only joking,” the 34-year-old said, before he added: “It’s an interesting appointment. I think he will go well, I think he will have an immediate impact because Joe is all over his detail.
“I think it will be a bit of a shock to the system to the Aussie players how intense he can be but, once he finds his feet, I think he will improve you guys tenfold, just around the bits and pieces but keeping the traditional Aussie flair.
“It could be a match made in heaven, I hope it goes well.”
Simon Zebo: ‘Rassie Erasmus hates the Irish, he really, really doesn’t like us’
Clash with Schmidt
Zebo’s comments may come as a surprise to some, given that their relationship broke down at Ireland and never really recovered.
There is more than a hint that it played a significant role in Zebo’s international career being cut short, with his last Test coming in 2017.
The Munster great did not go into specifics but did admit to there being differences of opinion between the two.
“It was a definite clash of personalities. He wouldn’t be into the dancing and the hip-hop, and the bit of craic around the camp as much as I would,” he added.
“We just clashed. He loves detail, me not so much. It wasn’t a love relationship, but we did get on well for the most part, it’s just a very big personality clash.
