Joe Schmidt tipped to take up Wallabies’ poisoned chalice

Former Ireland head coach and member of the 2023 All Blacks coaching team, Joe Schmidt, is reportedly the leading candidate to take over the role as head coach of the Wallabies.

Schmidt is credited for laying the foundations of the succesful Irish teams of recent years.

ALSO READ: Jason Robinson makes shocking RWC final admission

JOE SCHMIDT TIPPED TO TAKE UP WALLABIES’ POISONED CHALICE

His services, which became available after the Rugby World Cup, are in high demand.

ALSO READ: Springboks nemesis open to Wallabies coach job

Former Ireland performance analyst Eoin Toolan believes that the Wallabies should seek out the services of Schmidt and former Performance Director at Irish Rugby Football Union David Nucifora.

“I’ve got to say, I think the job Joe Schmidt did with New Zealand [was incredible]. I don’t think they’re making a World Cup final if Joe Schmidt doesn’t come in and bail out Ian Foster,” Toolan said on the Rugby Weekly Extra podcast.

ALSO READ: Handre Pollard reveals why 2023 Rugby World Cup hits different

“That [Schmidt as the Wallabies head coach] would be an intriguing appointment, particularly if it was in tandem with David Nucifora. We saw the positive impact they had on Irish rugby.”

IRELAND REUNION

ALSO READ: All Blacks coach Ian Foster on sour grapes podcast tour

Toolan believes that Schmidt’s time with the All Blacks recently would make him a better candidate than others who don’t have Super Rugby or Rugby Championship experience.

“There will be multiple candidates. Does Dan McKellar come back from Leicester or does he need some time out of the Australia game and start to build some experience in the northern hemisphere? That would probably be a good thing for the longevity of his career,” Toolan said.

ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup makes pain and sacrifice worthwhile says Springbok star

“Stephen Larkham is the other name being bandied about down here. He had a pretty good first year back at the Brumbies and learned a lot from his time in Munster.

“So there’s no shortage of candidates. It’s still an attractive role given that it’s the 2025 Lions into a home World Cup in 2027 and the talent is there if they’re coached correctly. They probably need to tweak the Giteau Law [for players based abroad] and look at what they do with Super Rugby.”