The winning Aussie reign is coming to an end at the home of the European Champions, Leinster. Current head coach, Michael Cheika, completes his five-year contract at the end of this season.
In his place will come the relatively unknown New Zealander, Josef Schmidt, the current assistant coach at Clermont Auvergne, where Vern Cotter is head man.
The 44-year-old Schmidt, originally from Manawatu, has agreed a three-year deal with Leinster, and will have a hard act to follow in Cheika.
Cheika has already guided Leinster to both the Magners League title and the Heineken Cup during his five years in Dublin. The club currently lies in second spot in the league and is top of its pool in the Heineken Cup after two high-scoring victories over Llanelli Scarlets in recent weeks. They are second favourites to their provincial rivals, Munster, for the Cup in 2010. Cheika is determined to do the double as a grand finale to his term in office. The fans will expect success to continue. The question is whether Schmidt has the pedigree for it.
He knows the country and province already since he had a stint playing in Leinster for junior side Mullingar in the 1990s.
Some reports on his appointment indicate that Schmidt has built an impressive CV since then, stating that he won the Ranfurly Shield while at the Bay of Plenty where he first teamed up with Vern Cotter in the early Noughties. Though that will mean little to the Leinster fan base beyond noting that he was the Number 2 man to Cotter.
Others point to his 3-year stint as backs coach to the Auckland Blues in the Super 14 before his move to France. In that time, the Blues moved from mid-table in 2006 to gain 4th spot in 2007 but lost out to the Sharks in the play-off semifinal.
Again, Schmidt was number two to David Nucifora at the Blues, and many would argue that he had some of the best All Black talents available to him at the time including Doug Howlett, Luke Mcalister and Kevin Mealamu.
Schmidt was also recognized as having a central role in the development of many Blues backs – players such as Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Rudi Wulf and Anthony Tuitavake – some of whom Schmidt first coached at secondary school level (incidentally, he’ll also be renewing a relationship with Isa Nacewa, the former Blues five-eighth who now plays on the wing and at full-back for the Irish province).
The Leinster Academy is showing a lot of promise so there’s solid grounds for optimism that he’ll be able to develop some of the talents coming through from the schools in the last few years.
Undoubtedly, Schmidt has won some praise in his three seasons assisting head coach Vern Cotter in France. However, despite having one of the biggest spending budgets available, the club hasn’t moved on appreciably since his arrival. Notably, Clermont under Cotter in his first season in charge made it to the play-offs. With Schmidt’s arrival the following season, the expectation of moving up a notch to winning the Bouclier de Brennus hasn’t paid off.
Clermont are known as the perennial bridesmaids in France having now been runners-up in 2007, 2008 and 2009 to go with the 7 other occasions they’ve had of being second best.
This somewhat flawed pedigree hasn’t put off Leinster. Apparently senior players in the Leinster set-up (did this include Nacewa?) had an input to the selection process of a new coach. Word is that they wanted a young coach on the way up looking to make his mark, rather than an established name – similar to Cheika when he arrived five years ago. His reputation for innovative backs coaching may have helped him close the deal.
As head coach he’ll want to make his mark in ensuring discipline is sustained in a successful squad – so maybe his time as a former Assistant Coach to the New Zealand Schools team for four seasons, and being a former School Headmaster will have given him the requisite skills.
His response to his appointment was either very self-effacing or else very worrying for the average Leinster fan expectant of further trophies and titles. “It’s an enormous opportunity,” said Schmidt. “It’s a new challenge for me and I hope that I can bring something to the team.”
Leinster said they will make further announcements about Schmidt’s back-up team in the coming weeks.
There was speculation that current Connacht coach Michael Bradley might be brought into the Leinster set-up but that now seems unlikely.
Leinster’s current assistant coaches include backs coach Alan Gaffney, forwards coach Jonno Gibbes and defence coach, Kurt McQuilken, the former Leinster and Ireland centre.
Gaffney has already said that he would leave Leinster when Cheika moves on, though he will remain part of the Ireland coaching team up to the World Cup in 2011.
Schmidt worked with Gibbes, also a New Zealander, in the Super 14 and they are expected to form a new partnership.
McQuilken’s position may not be as clear cut, even though Leinster’s defence has been a central plank of their success since 2008. The rumours are that McQuilken may also move to a new position once this season is over.
Brian O’Driscoll has probably got three years left in his rugby career – he’s achieved a lot already, and is planning to get married next year. He certainly won’t want to be a bridesmaid for the rest of his time at Leinster.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Lol .... the first minor joust for 2010 .... it brought a smile to my dial Pots.
Wavell Wakefield
Guest
I suppose that's the problem with assuming, Roger. Nobody really knows but the parties themselves. I can't imagine what reason you would have for assuming that O'Driscoll wants a coach he can dominate? That strikes me as slightly unreasonable. Why not assume that the team (and not O'Driscoll in isolation) want a fresh coach who wants to prove himself as a number 1. Going for the obvious choice isn't always the answer as we have seen recently with Ian McGeechan and the Lions, Robbie Deans at Australia, Nick Mallett at Italy and Ewen McKenzie at Stade, to name just a few. Conversely, Richard Cockerill at Leicester, Michael Cheika at Leinster and Tony McGahan at Munster have all proven astute signings.
Roger Rational
Guest
I'm thinking of John Smit and his mates who think they can manage themselves and now the Leinster boys who seem to feel likewise. I'm assuming that BOD wants a callow coach so that he can dominate him. Imo, any self-respecting professional should want the very best man for the job - and that means a bloke with a proven track record, not some Number 2 from the boondocks. Terrible decision by Leinster.
Derm
Roar Guru
Yeah - you're right Terry, Australia are much better than Ireland. Forgot that. Happy New Year to all the Roarers down under who must be in 2010 now.
Terry Kidd
Guest
Pots forget an Ireland v AB final in 2011 ..... Ireland won't be the Wallabies in their pool .... I'm surpirsed that you could even suggest it .... lol .... Happy New Year !!!!!
Brett McKay
Expert
reading the latest news about the Vics ongoing saga, it's hard to know how big the "tent" is currently, or even what's (or who's) holding it up!! I had forgotten Kiss is involved in the Ireland set-up too, and so yeah, I guess it makes sense for Gafney to stay put. I know he was mentioned often and for a long time as a likely successor to Scott Johnson as Wallabies backs coach, but that was before Deans got the gig too. Probably fair to say there won't be an opening there before the RWC anyway (and despite what we all might think of the Wallaby backs currently...)
Derm
Roar Guru
Well Cheika has been quite specific in saying he's going from Leinster obviously. He has been linked with the Melbourne job for a while, but I don't know enough about the deal as to whether Evans is his main link man to the deal, or whether the rest of VicSuper15 have him in the tent already. Alan Gaffney is also backs coach for the Ireland squad, and is committed up to the World Cup along with Kiss et al and Kidney of course. So by all accounts, he should be staying in Dublin.
Brett McKay
Expert
fair play mate, it is Christmas after all. If we're to assume Cheika is coming back to Australia (and you'd have to admit it's hard not to at this point), I wonder if Gafney might find his way back too??
Derm
Roar Guru
It's Christmas, Brett. I just thought people might have expected me to be more charitable in my assessment, but my inner Grinch demanded to be let out.
Brett McKay
Expert
Pots, I'm disappointed. Once upon a time you would never have dreamt of ducking down behind a desk after throwing hand grenades like that!!
Wavell Wakefield
Guest
Being the stereotypical arrogant English upper-class gin soaked twit that I am I haven't yet checked out the possible WC permutations. My built-in arrogance means that I automatically presume that England will reach the final as they have done in 50% of the tournaments to date. Regarding the Irish route Ireland should deal with Wales, they have the sign over them. The Welsh are petrified, not to mention lacking genuine class in a variety of positions. Things aren't looking so rosy for Warren & Shaun anymore. As long as you avoid Argentina things should be rosy.
Derm
Roar Guru
So 2011 - they would need to beat Pool - Australia - shouldn't be a problem QF Wales - a tougher prospect but achieveable SF - Someone else F - ABAB Sounds straightforwad enough..... .... ..... .... .... ..... ..... ducks down behind desk
Wavell Wakefield
Guest
1987 - no. 1991 - no. 1995 - no. 1999 - yes. 2003 - yes. 2007 - yes. A 50% chance. I bet Kidney's gripping his lucky rabbit's paw as I type.
Derm
Roar Guru
Do you think it would be possible to win a World Cup without having to encounter New Zealand? On the other hand, it would make for an interesting final if they both managed to get there - the world's biggest World Cup chokers against a team that has never beaten them in over a 100 years. Someone would be happy by the end of it.
Wavell Wakefield
Guest
It seems that the Irish are getting their act together. VC will be pleased. The rest of the world better watch out now... apart from NZ of course. Ireland have never beaten NZ, and they probably never will either. The issue of NZ aside it seems that the club and province relationship (apart from that dirty little secret Connacht) is working very well. Reports would indicate that the Blues were damaged as soon as Nucifora arrived (around 2005). What I meant to say is that perhaps the Blues had too much of the wrong talent: Spencer, Lavea, Nacewa etc. Players who had all the talent but without the ability to organise an on-field structure which would have allowed that talent to flourish. Conversely, Clermont have looked really good when they've thrown off the shackles (shackles that the Blues always lacked). I wonder whether the conservative nature of Clermont is simply a response to the French context, one that is inherently conservative. If that is true then Sshmidt may relish an opportunity to coach in the ML - the most adventurous, free-flowing league in the world... apparently (If Carlsberg made rugby divisions...) Happy New Year from the Saunders pair to you both. I hope your new jumper is especially liberating.
Derm
Roar Guru
I don't know about the selection process in detail, though I don't doubt that Gibbes selection would have had major input from Cheika - he could hardly be just handed a coaching team and told get on with it - those days are thankfully gone. I presume that Leinster would have done the initial trawl, and run the selection process. But the IRFU will no doubt have been consulted on it, and input from Kidney as well presumably, since there is an informal caucus of the provincial and national coaches around the development of the players. The IRFU's WC development programme is a part of that process. And I assume there is regular discussion on particular players that the national coach would like to see getting a run-out from time to time to assess their worth or for development. Since the IRFU pay the salaries, they get to decide the beat of the drum occasionally. So far, it seems to be working on a laissez-faire basis with no strong-arm decisions - but that's guesswork on my part. Re the Blues. They won the comp in 2003, Schmidt arrived in '04 or '05 from what I can gather. Were they that damaged by that stage? Too much talent at his disposal? Ooh dear. One might argue that is what he will have when he arrives at Donnybrook - or maybe he'll nurture it successfully. By the way, Mrs Pothale wishes you a Happy New Year and still fondly remembers your inspired comments that caused the demise of two of my favourite jumpers. In recognition, she splashed out on a new Xmas version especially for 'tapping at the computer' - it has 3 of the saddest looking creatures that are meant to pass for reindeer on it, and is so woolly that I think robins will start voluntarily nesting in it come January if I venture outside. I have refused to go to the pub in it for fear of not being served as a likely public nuisance and threat to public order.
Wavell Wakefield
Guest
Cheika went well, and Gibbes seems to be going well but the recurring point is whether or not that is down to the coaches or simply that the Leinster rugby choir is developing a natural melody of its own accord. If one takes the perspective that it is a balance then the selection committee seem to have chosen well and thus Schmidt seems an intriguing and exciting choice. (Incidentally, would Gibbes have appeared before a committee or would he have been simply presented with the job by Cheika? How does the overall selection process work? Who would Schmidt have applied to, and come before?) Regarding the curious case of Clermont, the scenario is just that - curious. I wouldn't look solely at the Super 12/14 as an indication of coaching ability. Heynke Meyer's approach to the GP was stunningly antiquated, for example, and it's also worth considering that the Blues is a damaged franchise and has been for quite a while now. Success also relies on the travel/fixture list as well. In broad terms success isn't naturally a natural adjunct of talent, which is just as well because if that were true then Clermont, and therefore Schmidt, could only be judged poorly. Maybe Schmidt has had too much talent at his disposal? Maybe not. It's a chicken-egg argument, and the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. Personally I think it's a poor show that Bradley hasn't been rewarded (whether or not he desired the move is another question, of course).
Derm
Roar Guru
Cheika's decision has been long flagged since the Melbourne opportunity arose. Though, I would question the assumption that he would have automatically been renewed by Leinster at end of this season anyway. There was talk of a replacement being sought long before the Super 15 opportunity arose. I'm sure Cheika won't be thrilled at the rumpus being created in Melbourne at the moment, or being dragged into the argument by Evans, on the day that his replacement at Leinster is announced. I'm aware that Cheika arrived from relative obscurity, W2 - that's why I made the comparison with the players' input on the selection of Schmidt. Number twos (no sniggering in the cheap seats please) can be inspired signings. Guys who have been strait-jacketed up to now get an opportunity to run things the way they want. I think the better point of comparison for Schmidt's success to date is not with Clermont (although thrice runners-up is a strong pointer to someone or some people having got as far as they could go and change was necessary) but with his time with the Blues. Look at the squad that Schmidt had available to him from 2004 -2007. Without doubt Canterbury were in their pomp during this period, but Blues didn't even make the final. He wanted to make the move to join Cotter at Clermont, and conservative or not, you don't join a new club intent on driving a new backs policy without making some inroads into the style of play, if you've got what it takes. He's a curious choice, in my view. And I hope that his supposed prowess with backs coaching hasn't papered over other deficiencies, or blinded the selectors to what they're actually getting. Sometimes, number twos find out that that's the best they can do - number two. Of course, it may come down to the assistants he gets around him. He may well decide to take on the backs role himself to replace Gaffney. If he keeps Gibbes, this may keep the forwards happy with the mix. From the IRFU point of view - and they will have had a strong say in his appointment - a three year stint will give him the time and space to develop possible replacements for O'Driscoll, Darcy, Horgan, Jackman, O'Kelly, Cullen and Jennings for the national team. He has possibly some of those available to him already - McLoughlin, O'Brien, Toner (big question mark), Fogarty, and some of the younger guns starting to make noises for inclusion - Simon , Brendan Macken, Ian McKinley, Dominic Ryan, Rhys Ruddock et al. And that may be the balance that has to be struck with having a pool of centrally-contracted players, and ultimately having to serve two bosses - club and national union. It won't be an unfamiliar situation for Schmidt given his time in Auckland and working in a small country, but he may find a similar level of impatience for success to be achieved - this time though it will be his head on the block.
Wavell Wakefield
Guest
In what way, Roger? -- Cheika also arrived from relative obscurity as well, Pothale. This is an interesting signing as number 2s can either be very good or very bad - as obvious as that sounds. And, like you say, there's no harm in the coach being predominantly a backs coach with players the calibre of Kearney, O'Driscoll etc to work with. However, one must not forget that Clermont have predominantly been a conservative side driven by Brock James and a fearsome pack. Therefore, what will Schmidt's philospohy be? Regardless, a change may be necessary. Five years is a comparatively long time in professional rugby and Cheika, IMO, has made a wise choice. Dynasties in rugby are rare, after all.
Roger Rational
Guest
You have to wonder about players requesting an "up and coming coach". Why would they prefer that? Jeez, some of the egos in modern rugby are just unreal...