Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has spoken for the first time since his departure date was confirmed and has looked ahead to what will be an exciting year.
Rugby Australia had wanted to keep the 59-year-old in situ until the conclusion of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, but he could not commit for that long due to his personal circumstances.
Schmidt did extend his contract but only to the end of the Rugby Championship as it was announced he would leave the role after their clash with the All Blacks in early October.
A new head coach will take charge for the end-of-year tour, who will then guide them into the global tournament, which is being hosted in Australia.
‘A privilege’ for Schmidt
“The first thing is that I’ve loved the opportunity, it’s been a privilege with the players and staff. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind but heck of a lot of fun,” Schmidt told Stan Sport.
“It’s disappointing for me but I also know it’s something that I need to commit to finishing up. I also know that to finish up after the Lions, six days later you’re flying to Johannesburg to play the South Africans. I don’t think that’s the best time to have a transition.
“The end of the TRC is probably a good compromise, so I’m looking forward to seeing the boys go against the Lions and working with them again.”
According to Tim Horan, it should not be long before the identity of the new national team boss is known.
RA stated that Schmidt would be involved in the process of appointing his successor but, on Friday, his focus was very much on the start of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The Wallabies head honcho was in attendance to watch the Waratahs beat the Highlanders 37-36, seeing some fine individual performances which could benefit them ahead of a huge series with the Lions.
“I’m nervous about what we’re going to see [from the Lions] because I know how good they are, I know a lot of the players personally,” Schmidt said, having spent six years as Ireland’s head coach.
“I’ve coached a lot of the Lions guys that are going to turn up, so I know their quality and depth, but I’m starting to learn a lot more about our guys.
“Our quality is starting to come to the surface and I’m hoping we can still see some depth emerge through Super Rugby this season.”
What Schmidt likes to see in a player
Schmidt made a good first impression with the Wallabies as they saw signs of progress in 2024 and the head coach revealed what he looks for in a potential Test player.
“A priority for us is making sure they’re back in the game, they’re on their feet, they’re seeing things early, moving early and getting to where the team needs them to be,” he added.
“Some of those are repeatable behaviours when they look after the ball or look after each other at the breakdown.
“Some of the skill factors, the quality of their passing game, their ability to find space in their kicking game and the quality of their catching.
“We know that the catch is going to be more contested than ever so that’s another thing to build on.
“I leave the set-piece for Geoff Parling and Mike Cron to look closer at but obviously that’s going to be a massive thing coming into the Lions.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/joe-schmidt-breaks-silence-on-wallabies-compromise-after-whirlwind-tenure-and-admits-to-british-and-lions-nerves
