Wallabies players publicly declare their desire for Joe Schmidt to coach on but won’t put pressure on him

Public lauding of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will be the players’ way of convincing him to stay rather than private urgings that could put unwanted pressure on him.

Wallabies players want coach Joe Schmidt (centre) to recommit. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Urging Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to sign on beyond his commitment to control the team for this year’s British and Irish Lions tour would be “rude” according to veteran playmaker Nic White.

But the vocal halfback took his opportunity, as players gathered for a camp in Sydney, to pump up Schmidt in the hope the mentor who turned the team around in 2024 gets the hint about how much he’s liked.

Schmidt, 59, is off contract with Rugby Australia at the end of the Lions tour in August, but Rugby Australia officials have already declared their hope the native New Zealander could commit until the 2027 Rugby World Cupin Australia.

While a decision is looming for Schmidt, he has other considerations, including his son Luke, who has severe epilepsy, which could impact his coaching call.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has a fan in Nic White. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

White, among the 40 players assembled for a three-day camp at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence, said Schmidt, who helped guide the Wallabies to an upset win over England on last year’s spring tour among six wins in 2024, said the coach’s decision would be his to make.

“It would be rude of us to put that sort of pressure on him,” White said on Thursday.

“I can speak for the group – just so appreciative of what him and the coaches are doing for us at the moment and helping us get to where we want to go.

“Very appreciative of him coming in and helping us out. If it works out that we’re getting a little bit longer, mate, unreal, but, you know, if not, how good has it been?

“He’s experienced, his expertise, he’s detailed, you know, he’s just across everything. I sit here and mention all the good things – like there’s no negatives to what he’s done.

“We’re very lucky with the coaches we’ve got at the moment. If they stick around (then great), but we also understand that Joe’s given a lot to the game of rugby, he’s got a family as well.”

Five-eighth Noah Lolesio flourished when recalled by Schmidt, having been dumped by his predecessor Eddie Jones, and couldn’t speak more highly of the new coach.

In a glowing endorsement, doubling as a sale pitch, Lolesio said the Wallabies would “love him to stay”.

“He’s been awesome for my development,” Lolesio said.

“Before every single game he always comes up to me and just says to back myself.

Schmidt is set to have more conversations with Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“Joe’s life away from footy is his responsibility, so whatever Joe decides to do, it’s completely up to him.

“Obviously, the boys would love him to stay, but if he needs to go away … I wasn’t here when Eddie (Jones) was in, but I think what he’s (Schmidt) been pushing within the group is just to play as a team, more than anything, more as a collective.

“Because previous years were probably more individual-based players, but now I feel like, especially in that spring tour, we started playing together, making our life easier for one another on the field.

“I’ve had a lot of different coaches, but Joe’s very unique in his own way and I think the boys really enjoy being coached by him.”

Originally published as Wallabies players publicly declare their desire for Joe Schmidt to coach on but won’t put pressure on him