Joe Schmidt says he wants to clear things up as the new Wallabies coach after the New Zealander was announced on a two-year deal to replace Eddie Jones.
The former Ireland mentor and World Rugby high-performance boss was unveiled on Friday, only a week after expressions of interest for the position closed.
He is the third Kiwi to coach the Wallabies after Robbie Deans and Dave Rennie, who was controversially axed to make way for Eddie Jones’s return almost exactly 12 months ago.
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He takes over a side reeling from their worst World Cup showing after they were unable to progress from the pool stages and boasting just two wins from nine Tests under Jones in 2023.
Jones’s selections, tactics and communication were heavily criticised, the coach walking less than a year into a five-year deal and triggering RA chairman Hamish McLennan’s exit.
The Wallabies have sunk to No.9 in the world rankings, Schmidt to begin in March ahead of home Tests against Wales in July and a visit from the British and Irish Lions a year later.
“I am conscious that the Wallabies have weathered a difficult period and I am keen to help them build a way forward with greater alignment and clear direction from RA,” he said.
“The upcoming Test matches against Wales will arrive quickly, post-Super Rugby, and the program through to the British and Irish Lions Tour next year presents plenty of opportunities and challenges, which I am sure will invigorate players and staff.
“I am looking forward to connecting with Super Rugby coaches, RA staff, and getting to observe and meet players in the coming months.”
Schmidt coached Ireland for almost seven years, winning three Six Nations titles including the 2018 Grand Slam and taking them to world No.1 for the first time.
They also beat the All Blacks and won in South Africa for the first time under his tenure.
Schmidt left his World Rugby role to assist Ian Foster at the All Blacks, New Zealand then reaching the World Cup final and losing to South Africa by one point.
A panel of former Wallabies including new Rugby Australia (RA) chair and chief executive Dan Herbert and Phil Waugh, RA president Joe Roff, John Eales, and returning RA advisor David Nucifora, as well as new high performance chief Peter Horne unanimously agreed on the appointment.
“Joe has delivered success at every stop in his career,” Waugh said.
“Given our stated plan to build a unified Australian Rugby system, Joe’s experience with Ireland and New Zealand – two of the most aligned Rugby nations in the world – will no doubt prove valuable as we move forward.
“He has a global view of the game from his experience in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and his appointment puts us in a strong position as we build towards the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour.”
Schmidt will report to Horne in a new structure designed to align RA’s high performance programs, while the country’s Super Rugby clubs have pledged to cooperate with RA’s desire for on-field centralisation.
