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Report: Joe Schmidt rules himself out of All Blacks head coaching race
By Henry Lee
Current Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has officially ruled himself out of becoming the All Blacks head coach, according to a report from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Schmidt is contracted with Rugby Australia up until the middle of 2026, before Reds head coach Les Kiss takes over the role as they head towards a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Kiss will take over in August, so that Schmidt can return to New Zealand to spend more time with his family going forward.
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The report, by Iain Payten, explains that according to sources close to the situation who can’t comment publicly, the 60-year-old has informed New Zealand Rugby that he will be staying with Rugby Australia up until the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Sources have indicated that despite being sounded out by NZR for the role, Schmidt will remain loyal to his contract with Rugby Australia, “and will not be switching loyalties mid-[World Cup] cycle”.
Schmidt has been discussed as one of the leading candidates alongside Jamie Joseph and Dave Rennie, whether it be in an advisory role, an assistant, or the head coaching role.
But there had also been reports regarding a possible consultancy role with Rugby Australia post leaving the head coach role, that would keep the experienced head coach in and around Wallabies camp for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Experienced Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa was quick to praise his head coach amidst the rumours of a move back to the All Blacks, saying that he’d love for Schmidt to be involved with the squad going forward.
“The boys do respect him so much, and we are hoping that he stays involved with us. It doesn’t have to be the Wallabies, but Australian rugby behind the scenes,” Alaalatoa said.
“Because what he’s done for our team in a short period of time has been massive. I think he’d only make positive movements for us in Australian rugby as a whole if he’s involved in some capacity.”
The former Ireland boss had previously joined the All Blacks in the year leading up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where he served as an assistant and strategist to Ian Foster.
Foster and Schmidt, helped by Jason Ryan as forwards coach, fell just short in the Rugby World Cup final against South Africa, losing 12-11 at the Stade de France in Paris.
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