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Risk isn’t worth the reward for new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt
Here we go again. Sound the alarm and let the rugby world talk because January 19, 2024, will go down in history – for better or worse – as a landmark day for Australian rugby.
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Rugby Australia has revealed that former World Rugby Coach of the Year Joe Schmidt will step into the role as the Wallabies’ third coach in as many years.
Schmidt, who rose to near-legendary status during a historic six-year stint with Ireland as their head coach, has penned a deal until at least after next year’s British and Irish Lions Tour.
There’s no denying that Joe Schmidt is good for the Wallabies, but whether the Wallabies are good for Joe Schmidt remains to be seen. It’s a tough coaching assignment with a lot of risks but plenty of rewards.
The systemic issues that have plagued the Wallabies and Australian rugby are tough for any coach to manage, just ask Eddie Jones.
When then-Wallabies coach Eddie Jones appeared at the Sydney Sevens almost 12 months ago to the day, practically every fan at Allianz Stadium was caught still in a state of awe.
Jones was supposed to be the saviour the Wallabies needed after almost a record-setting year of defeats in 2022, but as we now know, it didn’t quite pan out that way.
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Wins over Georgia and Portugal offered a glimmer of hope, but the Wallabies were no match for teams once considered to be on their level. Under Jones, they lost seven of nine Tests last year.
But one fateful September night in Lyon will live on forever for all the wrong reasons – somewhat defining Jones’ horror run with Australia.
The Wallabies were handed their worst-ever defeat at a World Cup by Wales. Warren Gatland’s men ran away with a 40-6 victory, and Jones was asked about links with Japan after full-time.
Deny, deny, deny. Months later, Jones was unveiled as Japan’s new head coach in Tokyo last month, but the 63-year-old has his reasons.
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“My commitment to Australian rugby has been 100 per cent. I did want to go on. Coaching a team is a bit like being in a marriage, you need commitment from both sides,” Jones told Nine News.
“I was committed to changing the team. Rugby Australia at the moment cannot activate the changes, financial and political, to make real change in Australian rugby.
“I don’t like to be in projects where I don’t think they can really get to where they need to get to and I’ve made that decision.
“Rugby Australia probably doesn’t think that and that’s where the unity of our project is not in the place it needs to be.
“Sometimes you go in the bank and blow it up but you don’t come out with the money.”
Rugby Australia, to their credit, appears to taking steps in the right direction. With new people coming into various roles, you could argue now is the best time for Schmidt to join Rugby Australia.
But it won’t be a quick fix – and that’s what makes this so risky for Schmidt.
Much like Jones, Schmidt isn’t the first coach to inspire hope within Australian rugby circles before a ball is kicked. Remember Robbie Deans? Remember Dave Rennie?
Both men came into the Wallabies’ setup with Super Rugby-winning experience, but their stints aren’t generally looked at with fond memories and they aren’t unanimously deemed to be successes.
Robbie Deans won 55.56% of his 75 Tests, but left the role after losing the British and Irish Lions Series 2-1 in 2013. There would be no Bledisloe Cup glory for New Zealand-born Deans, either.
Dave Rennie lost two-thirds of his Wallabies’ Tests. Even with a record that included two wins over the world champion Boks in 2021, Rennie’s reign fell well below expectations.
Both men are now coaching in Japan’s Rugby League One.
What the history of Jones, Deans and Rennie tells us is that the Wallabies are a tough team to master as a coach. It’s been quite some time since anyone was able to.
But if Schmidt can’t get it right, it’s hard to see who could. Now that’s concerning.
It’s 20 years of damage that the Wallabies will look to rectify before the Lions. If they can’t win that series, or at least put up a fight, it’s hard to see how Joe Schmidt’s input won’t be seen as another failure.
Comments on RugbyPass
Kinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to comments