Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is thinking local when it comes to player selection and his assistants as he settles into his new role.
Schmidt spent his first official day as Australia’s coach in Melbourne, where he will take in Super Round, with all 12 teams playing at AAMI Park over the weekend.
A Kiwi who steered Ireland to world No.1 in his six years at the helm and who was part of New Zealand’s push to the final at last year’s Rugby World Cup, Schmidt said he was excited by the challenge that lay ahead with Australia.
He is looking to revive the Wallabies’ fortunes after their historic pool-round exit under then coach Eddie Jones.
Schmidt admitted he had already started compiling a dossier on players, including video clips, and had started putting together possible line-ups in his head.
New Wallabies Head Coach Joe Schmidt speaks to media during a Rugby Australia media opportunity at Allianz Stadium on January 19, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Jones was given freedom to pick as many overseas-based players as he wished, but Schmidt said that, based on his experience with Ireland, he was leaning towards those playing in Australia.
“As much as possible I think it’s really important to keep the best players in the country if we can – we want to be competitive in Super Rugby,” Schmidt said.
“You want to be able to kind of have a management plan to be able to track the players and have the opportunity to see them first-hand and connect first-hand.
“Marika Koroibete, Samu Kerevi – there are guys around who are long-term Wallabies who are really impressive, but my gut feel at the moment, if it’s 50:50, even maybe 60:40 I’d like to go with the home-based player as much as possible, without utterly committing myself to that.”
With one round of Super Rugby completed, Schmidt emphasised that it was a clean slate in terms of selection, giving hope to those cast aside by Jones.
“This is a fresh lens for me, which means it’s a fresh opportunity for them, and I’d just love them to step up and grab it really,” he said.
“There’s some young players that I didn’t really know that well that have done quite well, and there’s been some other guys who’ve probably been a bit patchy, but the thing that I’ve learned is that you don’t pull the trigger and make assessments quickly.”
Schmidt plans to leave selection for the three-Test series against Wales, which starts in Sydney on July 6, until as late as possible.
He said the squad would only have a three-day training camp and then the Test week to prepare.
Before that he hopes to have a short-list of assistant coaches and other staff completed by the end of the month, again preferring those with inside knowledge of the players, rather than recruiting from overseas.
With the future of the financially wrecked Melbourne Rebels appearing grim, Schmidt was undecided in his early tenure as Wallabies coach about whether the current five teams or four was best for the national side.
“There’s no perfect formula,” he said.
“South Africa’s really competitive and they play all across the world and then come together.
“Then you have teams in contrast, like Ireland and the All Blacks, who select internally exclusively, and they work really well together.
“Cohesion is a really important element, but I’m not saying it’s the only element, and the opportunity for a greater breadth of player to get Super level experience is great, but that means there’s maybe a little less cohesion when you’re across five teams, as opposed to four.
“So I think there’s pros and cons, and I haven’t been in this situation before.”
Cec
Roar Rookie
Well LBJ like it or not the topic of Joe + Nucifora and Horne is all about what’s best for AUS Rugby future as they will have all the influence on-field. The other comments I’ve made, as I said, were just in response to your original comments so NO “axe grinding” here. I’m just responding to your remarks. If you find it pointless then don’t make comments about them to begin with. :thumbup:
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Well, that's another pointless conversation on the Roar... I'm trying to have a conversation about whats best for Australian rugby because I'm deeply concerned about it - I think there is a genuine possibility that the professional game is approaching the end here. But the roar just needs to keep grinding it's axe. Cheika can't have any credibility - because....well he's from Sydney! How does he sleep at night...Jones was from Sydney too! There's proof if you need it. Sydney just needs to provide players. And money. And volunteers. And viewers, And votes. And not have an opinion. Because Australian rugby can't beat NZ rugby until that happens and that's what Australian rugby exists for... I hope Joe gets 80%+because it's a waste of time otherwise... Watching a Slow car crash...
Cec
Roar Rookie
LBJ. Well you actually raised the topic of DR not me. Pick any one of DR three years at WB and all are well above the messiah’s 0%. Not my facts it’s just recorded in the books. The same with Joe you raised that topic too. It’s a fact that Joe (& Nucifora) has a much clearer and established record on working to build something from the ground up at test level compared to your guy Chieka. For the record Joe is not my guy but he’s RA’s guy so yeah it’s all about AUS Rugby. I would think the high performance guys Horne & Nucifora (who are experts not punters like us) are not incompetent decision makers. They’ve been paid a shiz tonne of money to make the right calls and historically they have. So it’s not doubling down on NZ as it’s a trio working to get us out of the trend (mostly led by NSW decision makers at NSWRU/RA) that are 2x Aussie and 1x Kiwi. Your country or origin doesn’t matter and pro rugby left that requisite behind decades ago.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
There's nothing fair about those stat comparisons and you know it - the only picture is bad and worse. I'm not defending Eddie, but the hyperbolic garbage that is parading as insight is worthless - even though it is effective in being harmful to the cause. Moreover you are (as is the trend) intentionally avoiding the point. Which is about Aussie rugby, not Joe Schmidt or Dave Rennie. Yet you inadvertently make my point for me. Which is that Rennies 35% is worth even less than Eddies 10% to Aussie rugby. Just ask Stan sport... So how much success does Schmidt have to deliver to be of any benefit to us - I'd suggest about 80%. Because below that (and possibly even beyond that), it is only about Schmidt, and that is a story about NZ. And that is a bad thing for Aussie rugby. And even though this is the bast chance in several generations to get those results (good young Aussies vs NZ without key players) it is unlikely. This was the opportunity to invest in Aussie rugby - instead the doubled down on ZN. Ridiculous. So yeah a dumb decision by desperate incompetents.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
The Reds belted the Tahs twice. The Tahs belted the Crusaders. Does this mean that the Reds would have put 80 on the crusaders- I don’t think so. To much happening, but both Lynagh and Edmed played well. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips played really well in trial , then they choose Lynagh? What about a combo of everyone whose first name is Harry- we’ve already got two Harry Wilson’s. Cheers.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
Only half agree. So many variables. Coaches and coaching styles. Let’s talk in 3 months.
MrEflord
Roar Rookie
Don’t care about combos. I simply want players picked who are in form playing well. Not just on name or what they might do
Cec
Roar Rookie
To be fair DR was at 38% vs tier 1 and Eddie was at 0%. Joe has experience with Nucifora and Horne and particularly the former two bringing IRE from the doldrums to #1, a handful of 6N, a Grand Slam, and beating ABs. I think this trio gives us our best shot at evolving to a top team with consistency. I’ve never heard of MC building anything from the ground up at test level. He’s generally inherited programs, kicked some backsides and is more old school like Eddie. Thanks but no thanks.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
And Rennie was the last God we were told we were so lucky to have - and he was an absolute disaster. There is nothing good or clever happening here - it is a bigger risk than Eddie. Unless there is outrageous success it will reflect poorly o. Australian rugby. And if there is outrageous success it will be attributed to the coach not being Australian. It's a dunb choice made by nervous incompetents.
Cec
Roar Rookie
I think the last time we went back to the past for a Randwick boy that was a spectacular fail. Joe’s CV is much better than Chieka’s in my view. It doesn’t have to be an Aussie just the best candidate. I can appreciate NSW wants one of their own though.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Leading candidates are well known - Cheika would be my personal pick.
LBJ
Roar Rookie
You have articulated very clearly why this was such a terrible decision for Aus rugby. All gains will got to a genius outsider, any blame will go to Aus rugby - Joe will walk away Scott free or the genius. Zero benefit to Aus in this situation - unless there is outrageous success. Which we would all put at low odds.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Gees mate I wasn't being serious!
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
How many Tahs started regularly for Eddie? Not more than 5 in any one side and that was only due to injuries
Cec
Roar Rookie
Linden B, did you have a better candidate than Joe? It’s a really low base we’re working from. 0-7 vs tier 1 last year.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Okay with the Tahs FF there’s still the basis of academy players from u18s and up. They can turn the corner relatively quickly with better decision making at the top. Also, I would have thought Horne and Nucifora would be chatting to Tahs and Reds about development and pathways from u16s and up. I’ve been a Brums fan from the beginning but I still think Tahs & Reds need to lead the way on the pitch for WB sake; but those QLD & NSW players need to earn it and fans must understand there is no room for entitlement at the elite level. Now I get everyone has their rose coloured glasses on for their respective teams and that includes me too. Thankfully Joe is going to make those calls. Too much is said on what the Brums are doing but really both Tahs and Reds supporters just need to focus on their own product and demand better from their admin and coaches.
Mike88
Roar Rookie
My 'understanding' is the structure of the payments are different. This was explained to me by a kiwi and I offer the below as a basic explanation. Yes SR contracts are similar. In NZ players can also be contracted to Mitre Cup teams. Then you have All Black payments and bonuses but obviously the huge difference comes through in commercial and sponsorship deals as they are the biggest of the oval shaped ball codes Here's what has been reported. The answer to the question is, in some ways, simple from the outside looking in, with All Blacks said to earn $1 million NZD per year on average. But it’s not as straightforward as that, as All Blacks collect a payment based on every week they’re with the team. Per week, the standard earnings for an All Black is $7,500 NZD, and they will collect this payment whether they play or not. Furthermore, getting to a good stage in their career will also open the door to sponsorships, brand deals and endorsements too, which can all prove lucrative. When All Blacks do venture overseas they command astronomical salaries to compensate. Mo'unga is on 2million a year as an eg.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Results not magnetism is required. Coaches can only do so much, he is getting paid well and if it all turns to mud Joes reputation won’t be any worst and he will move on with another big international contract. Win win for him as Eddie totally destroyed the wallabies and he can only do his best. Not much pressure on him and 2 years is nothing. If he turns it around he will be a genius in the rugby world and there is just enough talent though no wallaby depth to achieve this. It will be touch and go, fascinating really, 50/50. Joe does not need outrageous levels of success either
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
I know everyone here seems to be Force or Rebels fans, very sensitive. Let’s face it though I’m a tahs fan but it is the Brumbies that are keeping the wallabies alive with a slight Pulse. It is the Brumbies that is the wallabies only hope of resurrection and Schmidt knows it. I don’t get why Roarers attack the Brumbies and praise the Rebels and Force.
In From The Side
Roar Rookie
What did he say that made you think that? I certainly didn’t read that in any of his statements.