Joe Schmidt to quit as Wallabies head coach after Rugby Championship

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt will step down at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship, ending months of speculation over his future.

Schmidt’s last game in charge will be on October 4 against New Zealand in Perth. Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly say Schmidt is keen to stay on in an advisory role if his Wallabies successor agrees.

Rugby Australia will now begin the search to identify Schmidt’s successor, with Waratahs coach Dan McKellar, Queensland’s Les Kiss and Brumbies mentor Stephen Larkham all likely to be considered for the role.

Kiss is an early favourite given his strong relationship with Schmidt, having worked under the New Zealander with Ireland and also helped build a strong culture at the Reds.

Appointing Kiss would also mean Schmidt would be all but guaranteed the new coach’s blessing to continue with the Wallabies in some capacity.

Schmidt’s successor, who will be the Wallabies’ fifth coach in six years, will take charge of their first game against Eddie Jones’ Japan in Tokyo on October 25.

Joe Schmidt will stand down as Wallabies head coach after this year’s Rugby Championship.Credit: Getty Images

Schmidt signed on last January to coach the Wallabies only until the end of the British and Irish Lions series this year, but after rebuilding the side’s confidence and a successful November tour, RA had hoped to persuade the New Zealander to extend his stay until the 2027 World Cup.

Ultimately, Schmidt would not commit to spending more time away from his family in New Zealand and RA will hope that he can remain part of the new Wallabies’ team in an advisory role.

Schmidt has extended his current contract to cover the Rugby Championship, which kicks off just two weeks after the Lions series, but will stand down as head coach thereafter.

In an RA statement released on Thursday, Schmidt said: “I am very much enjoying my time with Australian Rugby. The British and Irish Lions is our immediate focus but, with the Rugby Championship following so closely after the Lions Series, I understand the need for continuity heading into two away Test matches against South Africa.”

Schmidt had originally committed to deciding on his future by the end of December, but negotiations on the role dragged on until this week. Schmidt has been open about his family commitments at home in New Zealand, where his son Luke negotiates life with severe epilepsy.

RA’s director of high performance, Peter Horne, who played a major role in luring Schmidt to the Wallabies, has been working closely with the coach on how he can continue to contribute. RA chief executive Phil Waugh has also spoken of a willingness to be “creative” when it comes to keeping Schmidt involved.

“We are delighted Joe will continue to coach the Wallabies beyond his current contract,” Horne said in a statement. “After noting the positive impact Joe has made with the Wallabies playing and coaching staff, we were keen that he stay on after the Lions series.

“Joe expressed to us that he was enjoying his work with the Wallabies while also making clear his need to spend more time at home with his family.”

After the Wallabies’ close defeat against Ireland to end the November tour, Schmidt stayed on in Dublin to spend time with his family and RA also began to start making contingency plans for life after the New Zealander.

Schmidt returned to Australia in early January for a Wallabies camp at Sydney Olympic Park. The coach didn’t discuss his future beyond the Lions, although some players came away convinced that they would only have Schmidt’s services until the Lions.

Schmidt’s impending decision will also likely affect some players’ international futures, with Waratahs captain Jake Gordon revealing to this masthead that his decision to stay in Australia next season would likely hinge on the New Zealander staying.

Frontline Wallabies Fraser McReight, Len Ikitau, Noah Lolesio, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou and Tom Wright are also all out of contract next year and the decision of Schmidt to not coach beyond 2025 could play a role in whether they commit until the World Cup and beyond.

The Wallabies are set to lose the services of back-rower Langi Gleeson who will move to Montpellier next season after turning down an opportunity to play in the upcoming World Cup.

The Wallabies have played 13 Tests under Schmidt winning six and losing seven. Schmidt also gave Wallabies’ debuts to 19 players in 2024, the most since 1920 and 1928.

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