Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt traded habits with Western Bulldogs mentor Luke Beveridge in Melbourne

Two of Australia’s leading coaches came together in Melbourne on Tuesday and with both men in similar positions when it comes to their future there was plenty to talk about.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt compared notes on the various books he and Western Bulldogs premiership mentor Luke Beveridge read to “escape from the manic environment” they live in on a trip to Melbourne on Tuesday as he laid out his plans for taking down the British and Irish Lions at the MCG later this year.

Schmidt, who will hand over the reins to Les Kiss in 2026, said he found himself in a similar position to Beveridge, who is out of contract at the end of this season, trying to “deliver in the short term and plan in the long term” and it was another topic of conversation.

“It’s easy to be short-term focused when you have the Lions coming which is a pinnacle for us,” Schmidt said.

“But we are talking in terms of World Cups and that transition with Les taking over, making sure we are in a good place.

Adam Treloar of the Bulldog and Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

“The better place we can be in a years time or 18 months time, the better place we are in to continue into the World Cup. It’s double-edged.”

Schmidt said the short-term focus could yet included recalling former Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor who been key to driving the perennial Super Rugby contenders the Crusaders to second place on the ladder after leaving Queensland.

While the Brumbies and Reds sit third and fourth on the table, giving Schmidt good Test options, he said the experience of 34-year-old O’Connor could again come in to contention.

He played the last of his 64 Tests in 2022 but Schmidt said there were plenty of locals “fighting for places” and O’Connor’s versatility could be a factor.

“I’ve talked to James and we had a really good chat,” Schmidt said.

“With James, he’s still playing in our local comp, and he’s not based currently in Australia but I don’t think that precludes him.

James O'Connor playing for the Crusaders. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

“He’s a little bit closer to home and I think to continue to challenge himself, he took the Crusaders opportunity because at the Reds, you’ve got Tom Lynagh playing there, you’ve got Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, and they’re a couple of guys really on the upswing

“James, he would bring experience back into the group, a little bit of versatility in that he’s played 12 in his career as well.

“Both Tom (Lynagh), even Noah (Lolesio) last year, he’s still young in terms of international experience so with all those players, it’s nice to have an experienced head.”

Schmidt also said players would be favoured if they have “committed their future to Australian rugby”, and O’Connor, by playing in New Zealand, could fit that bill and was still “young in terms of international experience.”

“It’s nice to have an experienced head,” he said.

Schmidt said selection could also be moved by performances of players involved in Super Rugby finals.

“It’s got to be taken into consideration, doesn’t it?” he said.

“Once you get to those big playoff games, that’s the highest level they play outside of Test football.

“So you want to add a little bit of extra weight onto those performances.”

Luke Beveridge, Head Coach of the Bulldogs poses with a Wallabies jersey with Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt . (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

As for the books he and Beveridge are both reading, “I am Pilgrim”, a 600-page epic, was among the list.

“It’s nice to have a buffer between thinking about the game ... and switch off,” Schmidt said.

“Something that entirely takes you away form the sporting world. It’s a pretty lengthy novel, but it makes it something you can anchor yourself into.”

Originally published as Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt traded habits with Western Bulldogs mentor Luke Beveridge in Melbourne