Former Ireland head coach and All Blacks assistant coach Joe Schmidt is widely regarded as one of the finest minds in professional rugby.
Driving Leinster to the pinnacle of European club rugby with back-to-back Heineken Cup titles in 2010-11 and 2011-12, as well as a league title in the 2012-13 season.
This success would see Schmidt elevated to the role of Irish head coach in 2013 as Declan Kidney was relieved of his duties following a tough run post the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Bringing his relentless drive for perfection to the Irish side, Schmidt would transform the game both on and off the pitch on the Emerald Isle.
Taking a side that lost to Italy in the 2013 Six Nations to the top of the World Rankings in 2019.
During this run, Ireland would win three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2018 (Ireland’s first since 2009). Although this success would not translate to the World Cup where Ireland seems to be eternally cursed, Schmidt played arguably the biggest role in turning Irish Rugby into the powerhouse it is today.
Once firmly embedded in the All Blacks set-up, Schmidt’s influence was clear for all to see as he played a major role in getting the New Zealanders to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
With such a fine track record behind him, it is little surprise that he would have several suitors when his time with the All Blacks came to an end.
Taking on what has become a poisoned chalice in recent years as the Wallabies next head coach, Schmidt enters a situation not too dissimilar from the one he found when he took on the Irish job over a decade ago.
Whilst the Wallabies arguably face more competition in the hyper-competitive Australian sports market, success under Schmidt would no doubt bring the sport of Rugby Union back to the forefront of Australian consciousness, with a Lions Tour in 2025 being followed by a home World Cup in 2027
