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International

Report: Joe Schmidt rules himself out of All Blacks head coaching race

By Henry Lee

92 days ago

Dublin , Ireland - 15 November 2025; Australia head coach Joe Schmidt during the Quilter Nations Series 2025 match between Ireland and Australia at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

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.

VIDEO

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.

Comments

16 Comments

DP 91 days ago

The only real news is if Jamie Joseph turns down the job. I suspect JJ has already agreed to take the gig and NZR is working out the finer points like reminding the overseas rule and begging Silverlake for a mountain of cash to throw at SARU for Brown..

SR 91 days ago

Who said he was being considered in the first place? Alot of armchair experts saying Kirk jumped the gun and it's a shambles. Well I disagree. Kirk is no fool if there's a mettle to be grasped then he's the one who had to grasp it. He's been looking at this since November he was on your with both AB teams. Does anybody know more about the overall state of the ABs right now than him? I would argue not. Nothing I've heard about David Kirk leads me to believe he can be hustled into a knee jerk reaction.

Wayneo 91 days ago

Fire a coach with a 74% win record and then try hire a coach with a 40% win record.

Did I miss something or am I living in some weird kind of alternative reality?

Hammer Head 91 days ago

Weird kind of alternative reality.

Welcome.

RugCs 91 days ago

That 74 percentage is a false picture. If you discard the wins against B teams Robertson won only 5 matches against strong tier 1 teams, but if you take away the Auckland win against the Boks B team then it’s a sober 4 wins.

Over the sideline 92 days ago

How do you “rule yourself out” of a job you HAVE TO APPLY FOR? Don’t you just not apply?

Im ruling myself out too then I guess.

Hammer Head 91 days ago

Count me out too. I am NOT interested in coaching the All Blacks.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

RG 92 days ago

Always surprising when myths and perceptions cloud the facts.

So the head coach of Australia with an overall win rate of around 39/40% and on a loss streak of 4 in a row and 8 losses in the last 10 has ruled himself out of contention - not sure we shouldn’t be relieved about that!

Best left with the Aussies so he can “mentor” Les Kiss for the next couple of years.

Ever had that boss or connected colleague who is tasked with looking over your shoulder and critiquing your work because they know so much more than you do, that always works doesn’t it.

Good luck Les.

Nickers 92 days ago

Sad

Icefarrow 92 days ago

Man who says he wants to retire refuses full-time job. Who could’ve seen this coming?!

Hammer Head 91 days ago

Blindsided by this.

GRB13 92 days ago

Another person who didn’t want to break their contract for the most coveted job in world rugby!

Over the sideline 92 days ago

His contract is completed in June. Nothing to do with breaking a contract at all.

GM 92 days ago