Stage two of Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies rebuild resumed on Monday morning with the first national camp of the year getting underway, but the question that left Rugby Australia sweating over the festive season is whether or not the New Zealander will be in the coaching seat beyond August’s third Lions Test.
As most in Australia finished leftover Christmas ham, RA officials spent the second straight summer stewing over their coaching predicament. It came after Schmidt backtracked on informing RA of his coaching intentions by December.
RA wants Schmidt to take the Wallabies through to the home World Cup in 2027, but it takes two to tango and every indication is the New Zealander will finish at some point in 2025.
Although RA is hopeful Schmidt will stay on, the feeling is he will leave given his desire and need to spend more time with his family. Les Kiss, the second-year Queensland coach, remains favoured to take over despite RA not speaking directly to the Reds about luring him to the Wallabies job.
But it might not be immediately after Sydney’s third Lions Test on August 2.
Joe Schmidt’s coaching future with the Wallabies remains unclear despite previously saying he wanted to provide clarity by December. (Photo By David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
With the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener against the Springboks in South Africa just two weeks later, sources have told The Roar that Schmidt might consider overseeing the national team until the tournament’s climax against the All Blacks on October 4.
Others have also highlighted the fact the Wallabies’ end-of-year tour will also get underway just three weeks later against Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms in Japan.
What is certain is there will be a coaching shake-up one way or another.
The Roar understands at least two of Schmidt’s assistants won’t be with the Wallabies by the end of the year.
Should Schmidt go too, it will leave RA with less than two years to get the Wallabies humming after the New Zealander’s rebuild.
One figure who could yet prove important in the changing of the guard could be Leon MacDonald – the former Blues head coach and All Blacks assistant.
Late spring, having stunningly left the All Blacks coaching team under Scott Robertson just five Tests into the new era for New Zealand, MacDonald had conversations with the Western Force about joining Simon Cron’s coaching team.
Leon MacDonald held conversations with the Western Force late last year and could be someone Joe Schmidt looks to add to his Wallabies coaching set up. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
It didn’t eventuate, but there was strong chat that MacDonald could find his way onto Schmidt’s coaching team instead.
Those whispers haven’t softened in recent weeks either, especially given the close relationship between MacDonald and Schmidt after stint together at the Blues.
Although it’s unlikely MacDonald would be considered Australian head coaching material, both RA and the New Zealander could benefit from a short or long-term arrangement.
MacDonald’s stocks fell somewhat after his abrupt exit from the All Blacks and the former Test back would benefit from having a Lions campaign under his belt.
Schmidt, meanwhile, ran the attack last year for the Wallabies, but given the busy workload in July, which will also include a Test against Fiji in Newcastle, to have someone of MacDonald’s calibre and trust would be of value.
He could also be a bridge for the Wallabies should Schmidt leave.
Schmidt is considered someone who likes to pull the strings.
Joe Schmidt is signed with Rugby Australia until the end of the British and Irish Lions series. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Indeed, The Roar has learned of Schmidt sounding out possible replacements for Super Rugby coaches should RA call upon them to move into the Wallabies.
Whatever occurs though, a coaching domino effect across the Australian rugby landscape is bound to occur over the next 12 months.
For a nation needing stability, everyone is on tenterhooks until Schmidt lets the Australian rugby public in on his future plans.
