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New Zealand Rugby confirm Joe Schmidt's appointment as All Blacks selector

By Alex McLeod
Ian Foster and Joe Schmidt prior to the RWC quarterfinal between New Zealand and Ireland. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

New Zealand Rugby [NZR] has announced the appointment of former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt as an independent All Blacks selector.

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Schmidt joins the All Blacks in place of long-standing selector Grant Fox, who will stand down from his position following next year’s mid-year tests against Ireland.

News of Schmidt’s arrival at the All Blacks comes in the wake of reports from various media outlets that linked the Kiwi coach to the role.

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The 56-year-old’s position with the New Zealand national side coincides with his new part-time role with the Blues as a support coach for next year’s inaugural edition of Super Rugby Pacific.

Regarded as one of the best coaches in rugby, Schmidt joins the All Blacks with a wealth of experience to his name, with much of his reputation forged while at the helm of Ireland between 2013 and 2019.

During that span, he guided the men from the Emerald Isle to their first two victories over the All Blacks, three Six Nations titles and one Grand Slam, and to top spot on the Word Rugby rankings two years ago.

Prior to that, Schmidt enjoyed a title-laden spell in charge of Leinster between 2010 and 2013, and has previously held assistant coach roles at Clermont, the Blues and Bay of Plenty.

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That level of experience excites All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, who said he is looking forward to welcoming Schmidt into the side next year.

“Joe will bring a wealth of New Zealand and international experience into the role, so we are delighted to have him join us,” Foster said in a statement.

“He will work closely with me and Plums [All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree] on selections but his insights will be valuable in other areas as well, so we look forward to having him join us.”

Foster also paid tribute to Fox’s contribution as All Blacks selector, a role he has held since 2011.

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“Foxy has been huge for me personally and for the team as a whole and we were so grateful to have him involved for longer than expected.

“He says now is the time for him to fully focus on his family and business interests.  We will farewell him closer to the time when he finishes up next year.”

Schmidt, meanwhile, said he is relishing the chance to work in an All Blacks environment and assist Foster and Plumtree where possible.

“It’s humbling to be involved and I’m looking forward to learning more about the players and the All Blacks environment and helping out as best I can,” he said.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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