'We have landed the best': Wallabies coach confirmed

Joe Schmidt will coach the Wallabies for the next two years after Rugby Australia confirmed the New Zealander’s prized signature on Friday.

As reported on Thursday, RA chief executive Phil Waugh and new director of high performance Peter Horne were able to land the hottest coaching free agent in world rugby with the lure of the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour.

Schmidt will inherit the Wallabies at a historically low ebb, ranked ninth in the world after the Eddie Jones Rugby World Cup train wreck last year.

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New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt before the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

“I am conscious that the Wallabies have weathered a difficult period, and I am keen to help them build a way forward, with greater alignment and clear direction from RA,” the 58-year-old said.

“The upcoming Test matches against Wales will arrive quickly, post-Super Rugby, and the program through to the British and Irish Lions Tour next year presents plenty of opportunities and challenges – which I am sure will invigorate players and staff.

“I am looking forward to connecting with Super Rugby coaches, RA staff, and getting to observe and meet players in the coming months.”

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Joe Schmidt speaks with Ian Foster prior to the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.

Schmidt led Ireland to unprecedented heights between 2013-19.

Under his coaching, Ireland won three Six Nations including a grand slam in 2018, an achievement which earned him the World Rugby coach of the year award.

Ireland also topped the world rankings for the first time and made history by beating the All Blacks in 2016 and 2018.

Known for his attention to detail and sharp tactical brain, Schmidt then returned home to New Zealand to work with the Blues before joining the All Blacks setup in 2022.

Schmidt stayed out of the limelight but it was no coincidence that Ian Foster’s side improved dramatically after he and Jason Ryan joined the New Zealand coaching staff on a fulltime basis and the All Blacks reached the 2023 World Cup final.

Horne, who previously worked with Schmidt at World Rugby, led the recruitment charge.

Assistant coach Joe Schmidt talks with Aaron Smith during All Blacks training.

“It has been a thorough process to make sure that we have landed the best and most suitable candidate – conducted by a panel including Dan Herbert and Phil Waugh, Joe Roff, John Eales, David Nucifora, RA’s head of people and culture and myself,” Horne said.

“It was a unanimous decision to appoint Joe – everyone on the panel was impressed by his demeanour, his calm and logical approach to the game, as well as his communication style.

“Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated an ability to take a leadership role in structural reform while developing a strong culture and world class players.

New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt shakes hands with Ireland’s Craig Casey.

“From my personal experience working with Joe at World Rugby, he is an ideal fit for the Wallabies and Australian rugby at this time, and I am looking forward to working closely with him on developing a stronger alignment with our Super Rugby clubs to maximise our performances.”

Schmidt becomes the third New Zealander to coach the Wallabies after Robbie Deans and Dave Rennie.

The former school teacher starts work on March 1 but will speak at a press conference alongside Waugh and Horne at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium at 3.45pm on Friday (AEDT).

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“Joe has delivered success at every stop in his career – winning European titles with Leinster, winning Six Nations championships, leading Ireland to world No.1 for the first time and, most recently, his role in the All Blacks’ run to the Rugby World Cup final,” Waugh said.

“He has also been a world coach of the year after he won the Six Nations grand slam in 2018. Given our stated plan to build a unified Australian rugby system, Joe’s experience with Ireland and New Zealand – two of the most aligned rugby nations in the world – will no doubt prove valuable as we move forward.

“He has a global view of the game from his experience in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and his appointment puts us in a strong position as we build towards the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour.”