An arrival that will make noise. New Zealander Joe Schmidt has been named Australia coach to replace Eddie Jones after a World Cup in France which ended in elimination in the group stage, Rugby Australia announced on Friday. He will take office on March 1, at least until the conclusion of the British
Schmidt therefore succeeds Eddie Jones, who left through the back door at the end of a disastrous World Cup in France with only ten months left on his contract over a planned five years. Jones has since been hired by Japan. “I know the Wallabies have been through a tough time and I really want to help them move forward,” Schmidt said. “The upcoming test matches against Wales will arrive quickly, after Super Rugby, and the program up to the British
Last month, long-serving member of World Rugby administration Peter Horne was appointed director of high performance by Rugby Australia. He will be helped by David Nucifora, poached from the same position with Ireland.
The two men have strong links with Joe Schmidt, 58, who coached the XV du Trèfle from 2013 to 2019, being one of the main architects of its rise to number 1. More recently, he worked with the New Zealanders at the last World Cup, where the All-Blacks finished vice-champions, ahead of the South Africans.
“It was a unanimous decision to appoint Joe,” said Peter Horne, praising Schmidt’s “good attitude”, “calmness”, “approach to the game” and “communication style”. “He is the right person for the Wallabies and Australian rugby,” he continued.
The head of Rugby Australia, Phil Waugh, also praised the new coach’s record. “Joe was successful at every stage of his career,” Waugh recalled. “He has a global view of the game with his experience in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres and his appointment puts us in a strong position as we work towards the British
Rugby Australia announced that details regarding the coaching team would be given later. Australia has 18 months to prepare for the British
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