As first reported by The Roar, Wallabies’ coach Joe Schmidt has made the first key appointment in his support team, offering another chance to Laurie Fisher, one of the men ditched in the calamitous Eddie Jones era.
The 65-year-old Fisher has been brought back on board as one of New Zealander Schmidt’s assistants, bringing with him two decades of professional coaching experience and an unmistakably distinctive white-bearded presence .
It will be Fisher’s second stint with the national side, having previously been an assistant to Dave Rennie but then sacked when Jones came on board for his disruptive and unsuccessful reign.
The Canberran, known in the sport as “Lord”, is a former Australia U21s head coach, having also spent time in different coaching capacities with the ACT Brumbies, Irish province Munster and English club Gloucester in England.
Fisher, who spent 18 years in total with the Brumbies, will join up with the Wallabies in April.
He’s known Schmidt for a long time, with the pair having coached against each other in provincial rugby when they were in Ireland a decade ago.
(Photo by Sam Mooy/Getty Images)
“It’s a genuine privilege to get another opportunity to work with the Wallabies,” said Fisher.
“I’m really excited to work alongside Joe and the team he puts together, which I know will be of the highest quality.
“There’s no doubt there’s a lot to do and I’m looking forward to doing my bit to contribute to the growth of the team and resurgence of Australian Rugby.”
Schmidt has also linked up with former Ireland and Melbourne Rebels analyst Eoin Toolan, who will join the Australia camp as head of analysis and skills coach.
“Laurie brings a wealth of experience to the role and is highly respected around the rugby world,” said Schmidt, 58.
“Having worked with Eoin in Ireland, I know he will bring a strong attention to detail and be a very positive addition to the staff and wider team.”
New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt before the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Stade de France in Paris, France. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Meanwhile, Ireland will host World Cup conquerors New Zealand and Joe Schmidt’s Australia during a mouth-watering four-match autumn series as part of its 150-year anniversary celebrations.
The All Blacks, who beat Andy Farrell’s side 28-24 in the quarter-finals of last year’s global tournament in France, will visit Dublin on Friday, November 8.
Former Ireland boss Schmidt will bring the Wallabies to the Aviva Stadium for the series finale on Saturday, November 30.
In between those stellar fixtures, the reigning Six Nations champions will take on Argentina, on Friday, November 15, and Fiji, on Saturday, November 23.
With a two-match summer tour against world champions South Africa already scheduled for July, Ireland will end the year having faced each of Test rugby’s other 10 leading nations.
Watch every match of Super Rugby Pacific ad-free, live & on demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport
The game against Australia has been arranged as part of the Irish Rugby Football Union’s 150th-year celebrations.
Head coach Farrell, who is preparing for Saturday’s Six Nations title decider against Scotland, said: “This November’s line-up is a hugely exciting one for the Irish rugby public and we are looking forward to competing against four hugely talented sides.
“There is an added dimension to this year’s autumn series, with a fourth match against Australia set to mark the IRFU’s 150th celebrations.
“We look forward to testing ourselves against some of the most exciting teams in the world, with whom Ireland has such strong traditions and rivalries. It promises to be a series to remember.”
The matches will be the final fixtures before Farrell takes a break from his role to focus on leading the British and Irish Lions on their 2025 tour of Australia.
Series fixtures:
Ireland v New Zealand, Friday, November 8, 8.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Ireland v Argentina, Friday, November 15, 8.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Ireland v Fiji, Saturday, November 23, 3.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Ireland v Australia, Saturday, November 30, 3.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin.
Ballymore Brumby
Roar Pro
I always knew they'd come good :laughing:
Jezdexter
Roar Rookie
This comment aged well.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Ah, I hear you. I don't care much for optics. As long as the team plays well and consistently so.
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
You tell em luv!!
numpty
Roar Rookie
Id argue they weren't but no my point was he was a calm, measured coach that didn't carry on like a pork chop and wasn't a walking headline like cheika and Eddie. People got sick of cheika and initially liked the calm of Rennie, but then soon got sick of that and wanted chaos again. Then they got sick of Eddie... And round and round we go.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Sounds like a ready-made excuse. Like last year when they played their b-team against the Crusaders. Surely, they could've flown in earlier this week.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Okay, not worse. Equally bad. But fair enough, he didn't have a lot of time.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
It's possible. And it should be expected, given all the talent in Australia. Rassie took the Boks from 7 to 1 in a year's time.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
I'll give you Beale and Foley, but that's a bit harsh on Folau. Brilliant player. Also, Cheika faired better than both Rennie and Jones, so ease up on the insults. Wallabies and their defence have been in decline since after Eddie's first stint.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Italy. He means Italy. Don't forget the hiding SA gave us in the return match. BUT I don't think a couple of months is enough to judge an assistant or coach by.
Qualify
Roar Rookie
Haha, are you implying the Wallabies weren't in chaos under Rennie? Or was it structured shambles? Either way the results were still crap.
acjj
Roar Rookie
I hear Eddie is recruiting coaches from ping pong to coach Japan's kickers to win the kicking duels. Lateral thinking maaaaate
Guess
Roar Rookie
What is Joe doing? We need league coaches
Guess
Roar Rookie
He isn't coaching Brumbies anymore. Maybe that's why they languish :laughing:
MO
Roar Rookie
Brumbies have been good at the areas Laurie coaches
MO
Roar Rookie
Les reds will transition to joes wallabies Systems pretty fast and well so that will save some prep time. Surely seru needs to be given an opportunity. If I were Fiji I’d have picked him for the last rwc to bolster the lineout. Fiji still could and should. Couple of good Oz eligible kiwi props making a difference too. Plus cabous eligible now?
MO
Roar Rookie
Jacko I think Laurie will happily work cheap and happily train his successor. That’s a solid plan. Wallabies need to get some wins up so a rookie coach training rookie players is not for right now
Wig1
Roar Rookie
And the cake tin
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Second box ticked ....
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Safe and solid appointments so far. What we expected from Schmidt. He's a smart coach. Unlike Fast Eddie who turns to his RL mates to coach Union.