In a twist that’s as disappointing as it is unsurprising, Joe Schmidt, the seasoned coach currently helming the Wallabies, has officially taken himself out of the running to become the next All Blacks head coach. This decision comes as a notable setback for New Zealand Rugby (NZR), which is already reeling from the unexpected dismissal of Scott Robertson.
Schmidt, whose name was high on the list of potential successors, will remain committed to Australia, opting not to disrupt his tenure amidst a Rugby World Cup cycle. Reports from the Sydney Morning Herald confirm that Schmidt was approached by NZR but chose loyalty over a potential homecoming. This leaves NZR to strike him from their list and regroup as they search for a coach who must be a New Zealander with international experience, as per their newly established criteria.
Although Schmidt’s contract with the Wallabies is winding down, with his last game in charge occurring in November 2025, he’s set to stay on until his successor, Les Kiss, completes the Super Rugby season with the Reds. Schmidt’s decision underscores his integrity and dedication, qualities that have defined his coaching career.
"This is the All Blacks. As a matter of principle, ideally we want a New Zealander coaching that team,"
said Steve Lancaster, the interim chief executive of NZR. He added,
"We have an incredible amount of amazing coaches, coaching here in NZ and around the world. We don't believe, at this point in time, we need to go outside NZ candidates."
The revelation that Schmidt won’t be available adds another layer to NZR’s challenge as they pivot to other candidates like Jamie Joseph, Dave Rennie, and Vern Cotter, all of whom have substantial international coaching experience.
While the search for a new coach is undoubtedly complicated by Schmidt’s withdrawal, it also reflects the complexities and personal considerations that impact such decisions. Schmidt, after all, had previously been critical of NZR’s handling of past coaching appointments and has personal matters, notably his son’s severe epilepsy, which understandably take precedence.
As NZR continues its hunt for a new head coach, the rugby world watches closely, understanding that the role of leading the All Blacks is not just about coaching a team, but stewarding a legacy. With Schmidt out of the picture, the pressure mounts to find someone who can both respect that legacy and redefine it moving forward.
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In a twist that’s as disappointing as it is unsurprising, Joe Schmidt, the seasoned coach currently helming the Wallabies, has officially taken himself out of the running to become the next All Blacks head coach. This decision comes as a notable setback for New Zealand Rugby (NZR), which is already reeling from the unexpected dismissal of Scott Robertson.
Schmidt, whose name was high on the list of potential successors, will remain committed to Australia, opting not to disrupt his tenure amidst a Rugby World Cup cycle. Reports from the Sydney Morning Herald confirm that Schmidt was approached by NZR but chose loyalty over a potential homecoming. This leaves NZR to strike him from their list and regroup as they search for a coach who must be a New Zealander with international experience, as per their newly established criteria.
Although Schmidt’s contract with the Wallabies is winding down, with his last game in charge occurring in November 2025, he’s set to stay on until his successor, Les Kiss, completes the Super Rugby season with the Reds. Schmidt’s decision underscores his integrity and dedication, qualities that have defined his coaching career.
"This is the All Blacks. As a matter of principle, ideally we want a New Zealander coaching that team,"
said Steve Lancaster, the interim chief executive of NZR. He added,"We have an incredible amount of amazing coaches, coaching here in NZ and around the world. We don't believe, at this point in time, we need to go outside NZ candidates."
The revelation that Schmidt won’t be available adds another layer to NZR’s challenge as they pivot to other candidates like Jamie Joseph, Dave Rennie, and Vern Cotter, all of whom have substantial international coaching experience.
While the search for a new coach is undoubtedly complicated by Schmidt’s withdrawal, it also reflects the complexities and personal considerations that impact such decisions. Schmidt, after all, had previously been critical of NZR’s handling of past coaching appointments and has personal matters, notably his son’s severe epilepsy, which understandably take precedence.
As NZR continues its hunt for a new head coach, the rugby world watches closely, understanding that the role of leading the All Blacks is not just about coaching a team, but stewarding a legacy. With Schmidt out of the picture, the pressure mounts to find someone who can both respect that legacy and redefine it moving forward.