The Wallabies – and Ireland – both want Schmidt to stay
Ireland didn’t seem to want to let him leave – and the Wallabies made it clear that they really want him to stay.
The Joe Schmidt show may have departed Dublin with an anti-climactic ending, but everyone’s favourite coach was still the hot topic even as his old Ireland charges beat his new Australian ones 22-19 on Saturday.
After being edged at Lansdowne Road, Schmidt still sounded cautiously optimistic about Australia’s chances of being ready to offer the British & Irish Lions a real challenge next year.
“Maybe not yet,” he admitted, asked about the Wallabies’ readiness.
“But I think, and I hope, our supporters and Lions supporters can see enough in what we’ve delivered these last four weeks to think they’re going to be entertained and that it’s going to be a contest. That’s what I’d love to see.
“We’ve still got some work to do … but we’re going to try to keep building that momentum and, by the time the Lions arrive, I’m hoping next July you’ll see a Wallaby team worthy of taking them on, head on.”
But will Schmidt stay on after the Lions tour? He’ll be talking with his family in Ireland this week before announcing later this month whether or not he’ll commit to taking Australia through to the home 2027 World Cup.
Rob Valetini, one of the tour stars, made it clear what the players felt.
“He’s done a lot for us this year and changed the way we play. The results sort of speak for themselves what he’s done this year,” said the John Eales Medal winner.
“So if he was able to extend, the boys would be be keen for that.
“I think he’s had a good year around us, and hopefully we haven’t been too stressful on him!
“The boys enjoy his time, and the main thing is he’s been keen to give his time for us, and that probably means the most to us. He only wants us to do better.”
That enthusiasm for Schmidt is mirrored by the esteem in which he’s still held in the country where he had a decade of success.
“It’s been a bit embarrassing, though,” grinned Schmidt.
“The boys have given me a hard time.
“We got on a plane and I’d had a selfie with these ladies. Then one of them turned around when we were all boarded and yelled out to me that there was a spare seat up next to her, and the boys thought that was hilarious! So I’ve copped it from them.
“But I’ve felt the same warmth I felt for 10 years here. My daughter’s here, I think my son will end up shifting back here with his Irish wife, so we’ll continue to be very much a split family – with a very heavy Irish and Kiwi influence, and currently an Aussie intention to keep improving.”
One reporter even demanded to know who Schmidt voted for in the Irish election this week.
“I was talking to the bus driver, and said, ‘Oh, maybe drop me off and I’ll have a vote here’,” laughed Schmidt.
“I was talking to Tommy Bowe (the former Irish winger-turned-TV presenter) on Wednesday, and tried to get some intel from him on who I should vote for. I knew who I shouldn’t vote for by the time I got that intel from Tommy!
“So didn’t vote in the end. But almost fell into singing the Irish national anthem today, but I stuck with Advance Australia Fair!”
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