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Ex-All Black Sir John Kirwan ‘uncomfortable’ with Joe Schmidt joining Wallabies
Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Sir John Kirwan has expressed his discomfort in former New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt heading across the Tasman to take up the Australia job.
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Schmidt, 58, rose to world-class coaching status during a glistening stint with Ireland, which saw him guide the men in green to World No. 1 status for the first time. During Schmidt’s reign, Ireland also claimed their maiden victory over the All Blacks.
But after stepping away from that role, New Zealand-born Schmidt linked up with the All Blacks and served as an assistant coach under Ian Foster at last year’s Rugby World Cup in France.
There’s no denying that Schmit is a talented coach with plenty to give to the sport, but his decision to take the Wallabies’ head coach job has drawn a reaction from a New Zealand rugby great.
Sir John Kirwan, who himself coached both Japan and Italy, revealed on New Zealand TV that the appointment has left him feeling “a little bit uncomfortable.”
“I think he’ll be great, and we want Australia to be strong,” Kirwan said on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown.
“But if you come this way, coach other nations and then you come back and coach the All Blacks. But after that, I think it’s too close.
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“But as an ex-All Black, I get uncomfortable with that… but good luck to him.
“I hope he makes Australia strong because I really want them to be strong.
“He’ll be a great coach, but as an ex-All Black, it makes me feel a little bit uncomfortable. Nothing personal.”
Following Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones, Schmidt was officially unveiled as the Wallabies’ third head coach in as many years at a press conference last month.
The former World Rugby Coach of the Year was presented to a room full of reporters at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium.
Rugby Australia’s decision to appoint Schmidt was largely seen as a step in the right direction for Australian rugby, although he’s only signed on until the end of next year’s British and Irish Lions Tour.
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“I’m desperate for the Wallabies to be competitive, and if I can help, that’s why I’m here,” Schmidt explained at that press conference.
“I think the global rugby family is desperate for the Wallabies to be where they need to be. British and Irish Lions, they want to have a fantastic series so we want to build toward that and give them exactly what they want and not make anything easy for them.
“Two years after that you’ve got a home World Cup.
“I’m desperate that the Wallabies are really competitive in that World Cup and we get through to those really competitive playoff rounds.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Ben’s Myth History is written by the guy who does the engraving on the trophy. Took Ben six months to write this piece.
8 Go to commentsThis article should have been written immediately after the final, not half a year later. While the content of the article is accurate with the references to the cruel bounce to Savea right before the try line, Etzebeth’s cynical infringement, and the inconsistent cards, some of the hyperbole emotional statements are unnecessary and gaslighting. The fact remains that the Springboks took their scoring opportunities. They had amazing defence throughout the entire match (limiting the ABs to one try is very respectable), their scrum was pretty good and they had quite a solid lineout despite having a part-time hooker throwing the ball in. Let’s give credit where credit is due and move forward. The Springboks won because they know how to win big games through strong defence and kicking, and they had lady luck on their side on the day. The All Blacks miraculously made the final despite everyone’s predictions and could’ve won the whole damn thing with 14 men who should’ve taken better advantage of their scoring chances and committed less mistakes (shoddy lineouts, dropped balls, some poor kicks and passing, etc), and an average coach and captain with some questionable tactics (Jordie kicking for goal late in the game from a dodgy position and perhaps the wrong game plan overall). Time to move on.
8 Go to commentsThere’s no doubt the All Blacks were the better team on the day, but it’s not enough to be better, you also have to have luck.
8 Go to commentsI dunno, Ben. It does feel a little like you are just in denial that the Springboks are really good. Good enough to win two straight world cups.
8 Go to commentsAre we still talking about the World Cup final in May? The final took place more than 6 months ago. Isn’t it time to move on?
8 Go to commentsIt looks like the trauma counseling is not helping the Ben Smith troll much. He is still trying to convince his little brain that his loser team won the RWC.
8 Go to commentsOh dear, Jon. Ben Smith’s Saffer clickbait was at least backed up by some rationale!
8 Go to commentsThe more direct approach to your past time this time I see Ben. Look, it doesn’t need to be said, anyone watching the match knows the ABs played better and just got robbed by the officiating, but lets face it, their dominance in the match was only because South Africa choked and forgot how to play rugby with the ball. South Africa were still the better side. Of course Ireland and France were also better sides that New Zealand. Possibly even England on WC performances.
8 Go to commentsGreat mythology - no surprises Ox didn't talk about being driven backwards by Laulala in the RWC final!
4 Go to commentsJust shows how a hand up can help as long as the invitation is accepted. Good story.
1 Go to commentsKarma is a powerful force
22 Go to commentsFrench players said the same thing to the All Blacks after their pool match in 2011. But the French can back up their s**t talk with action.
75 Go to commentsThe problem is the officiating & changing rulings,& TMOs.Last weekend I saw a 9 penalized for a crooked scrum feed! the last time I saw that rule applied was In about 1975!!!!!!!!.Late or not the incident is history & Australians alleging that Kiwi rugby supporters wear eye patches is a bit rich.Try listening to Australian Commentators.Every new player who has an above average game is suddenly the next great sensation.
22 Go to commentsEvery Irish fan in the stadium celebrated like they had won the tournament after the SA and Scotland games so yeah, the way Etzebeth tells it stacks up. It was definitely ‘In Their Heads’!
75 Go to commentsEtsebeth is right about 1 thing. Boks after winning a RWC have been crap. Only in 2009 did they reach the heights of what a RWC Champion should look like but that was only after 3rd/last in the TriN 2008. Lost a home series in 1996 (vs ABs); didnt win even 1 x Rugby Championship after 2019. ABs and Wallabies and England at least played like Champions after winning RWC.
75 Go to commentsCrusaders will knock one of the top seeds out in the first round, hope it’s not my Chiefs
28 Go to commentsEben really seems like just a deeply unpleasant man.
75 Go to commentsDMac. BB crabs too much at 10.
5 Go to commentsIt is every boys dream to be a Springbok. I managed it in a discipline other than rugby…But rugby, I have always engaged with passion. It does my old heart good to see the mix of people in the team and this displays the possibilities for this wonderful country. The logo “stronger together” says it all. This current edition of the Boks is nothing short of inspirational.
4 Go to commentsIrish people about the best damn people on the planet. OK, in the NH. Fijians are the World’s best happiest friendliest people. But as far as European cultures producing good people, Ireland stands alone. But on the rugby pitch there is a creeping arrogance that has detached from humility. eg Sexton abusing a match referee, and not for the 1st time. He was extremely lucky to make it to the RWC, strings were pulled. And O’Mahoneys sledge to Cane was lowballing, attacking an opposition Captain seems opportunistic and gutter talk. Cane is a real gentleman. Have never seen ABs unleash after the whistle like they did on O’Mahoney after QterF, it was well deserved. Unlike Bok supporters, the Bok players understand history. Massive amount of respect between Boks and ABs is evident, they get on well and have throughout history. Even Pinetree Meads best mate (except his old cobber Kel Tremain) were Springboks, friendships forged after tours. And Meads was always targetted given his star status (he even played 2 x Tests with a broken arm). On the contrary, ABs and Wallabies famously dont get on, bad blood after Aussies not taking offer of beersies postmatch.
75 Go to comments