Rugby Australia boss Phil Waugh expects overlooked Australian coaching candidates to be excited about the appointment of Joe Schmidt to lead the Wallabies, adamant feedback has been positive ahead of a new era.
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Schmidt was unveiled as the new Wallabies coach on Friday, stepping into the job less than three months after Eddie Jones' tenure ended in flames following the World Cup disaster.
The former Ireland mentor and World Rugby high-performance boss will be tasked with rebuilding the Wallabies' tarnished reputation and strengthen ties with Super Rugby clubs.
Schmidt's arrivals will be a welcome distraction from the post World Cup trauma and the financial pressure on the game, with the ACT Brumbies confident in their future despite owing $1.1 million to Rugby Australia.
Solving the Wallabies coaching issue will help create clear air leading into the Super Rugby season, and remove distractions from Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham after he was constantly linked to the job.
It's understood Larkham did not make a formal application, but Rugby Australia officials sought him out to gauge his interest in the position. Former Wallaby Greg Martin felt Larkham was the best man to restore pride in the game, declaring on Friday morning: "We needed Stephen Larkham".
But Waugh said the appointing an overseas candidate with World Cup experience would not affect the development of Australian coaches.
Asked if Australian coaches would be disillusioned, Waugh said: "I don't think so."
"I think they'll [other candidates] look at the credentials Joe brings and be excited that Joe's going to be leading the national team.
"I think it's more around excitement and I know from our conversations that connection with the Australian coaches and bringing Australian coaches through the system is really important. From all the feedback, it's all been very, very positive and exciting at the fact we've got someone so experienced and with such a great track record joining the Australian rugby system."
Martin, however, had a different view. There was a widely-held belief the Wallabies needed an Australian coach to take the reins, despite Robbie Deans - a New Zealander - being the second-most successful coach since the Rod Macqueen golden era. Schmidt is also a product of the New Zealand system and led Ireland on their journey to world No. 1.
"Robbie Deans was appointed as the Wallaby coach about ten years ago then Dave Rennie only about five years ago and was sacked for Eddie Jones. So, we've had two Kiwis, and both times it's ended in tears and we're about to go down the same track," Martin said on his Triple M Brisbane radio show.
"We needed Stephen Larkham, we needed a bloke who has won a World Cup who is an Australian. We're going to overlook another Australian ... for another Kiwi to coach Australia, bad move in my mind.
![Stephen Larkham, left, will remain at the Brumbies while Joe Schmidt takes the Wallabies reins. Picture by Gary Ramage, supplied Stephen Larkham, left, will remain at the Brumbies while Joe Schmidt takes the Wallabies reins. Picture by Gary Ramage, supplied](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/j2iwCiKfwhVWJky39Vsdpt/76f6355d-0a67-4695-974f-389808f4313d.png/r0_0_1200_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We'll get beaten by the Kiwis in July and August and everyone will go, 'Oh well, that was a dud,' we'll sack him [Joe Schmidt] and we'll be back in the same position again."
Schmidt will be aiming to rebuild bridges with Super Rugby coaches and players after relationships fractured during a World Cup disaster under Jones and an aggressive centralisation push led by former chairman Hamish McLennan.
Tensions have eased in the months since McLennan was dislodged, but uncertainty hovers as Rugby Australia pursues a new model to help the game thrive and Waugh is aware of needing to rebuild trust with all stakeholders.
There are ongoing concerns about the financial position of individual franchises, including the Brumbies. But the club proved it's long-term viability to Rugby Australia last year and, despite owing more than $1 million to the organisation, is confident it can operate independently.
The Brumbies - and all Super Rugby clubs - have taken a hit in recent years after an annual drop in broadcast funding from Rugby Australia.
The problem was compounded when Rugby Australia converted a $1.7 million grant to the Brumbies into an interest-bearing loan.
But the franchise has moved to stabilise its finances after the centralisation push, and is keen to work with Rugby Australia on a high-performance structure for all team.s
Rugby Australia's new director of high performance Peter Horne, who was appointed at the end of last year, said Australia's centralisation plan would not mirror Ireland's or New Zealand's despite obvious links via Schmidt and consultant David Nucifora.
"Australia in unique. The critical thing is we're not looking to cut and paste with an Irish or a New Zealand model," Horne said
WHO IS JOE SCHMIDT
New Zealander Schmidt is widely viewed as a shrewd appointment given his experience the way he turned Ireland into the No. 1 ranked Test side, as well as his history with the All Blacks.
He will offer measured assurance for Australian rugby fans and his approach to the game and the media is at odds with the way Jones went about his ill-fated second-coming as Wallabies mentor last year.
Jones' exit after a disastrous World Cup campaign left the game in turmoil, and several options were floated as successors.
Schmidt, a former World Rugby high-performance boss, will take over a side reeling from their worst World Cup showing after they were unable to progress from the pool stages and boasting just two wins from nine Tests under Jones in 2023.
Jones's selections, tactics and communication were heavily criticised, the coach walking less than a year into a five-year deal and triggering RA chairman Hamish McLennan's exit.
The Wallabies have sunk to No.9 in the world rankings, Schmidt to begin in March ahead of home Tests against Wales in July and a visit from the British and Irish Lions a year later.
"I am conscious that the Wallabies have weathered a difficult period and I am keen to help them build a way forward with greater alignment and clear direction from RA," he said.
"The upcoming Test matches against Wales will arrive quickly, post-Super Rugby, and the program through to the British and Irish Lions Tour next year presents plenty of opportunities and challenges, which I am sure will invigorate players and staff.
"I am looking forward to connecting with Super Rugby coaches, RA staff, and getting to observe and meet players in the coming months."
Schmidt coached Ireland for almost seven years, winning three Six Nations titles including the 2018 Grand Slam and taking them to world No.1 for the first time.
They also beat the All Blacks and won in South Africa for the first time under his tenure.
Schmidt left his World Rugby role to assist Ian Foster at the All Blacks, New Zealand then reaching the World Cup final and losing to South Africa by one point.
A panel of former Wallabies including new Rugby Australia (RA) chair and chief executive Dan Herbert and Phil Waugh, RA president Joe Roff, John Eales, and returning RA advisor David Nucifora, as well as new high performance chief Peter Horne unanimously agreed on the appointment.
"Joe has delivered success at every stop in his career," Waugh said.
"Given our stated plan to build a unified Australian Rugby system, Joe's experience with Ireland and New Zealand - two of the most aligned Rugby nations in the world - will no doubt prove valuable as we move forward.
"He has a global view of the game from his experience in both the northern and southern hemispheres, and his appointment puts us in a strong position as we build towards the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour."
Schmidt will report to Horne in a new structure designed to align RA's high performance programs, while the country's Super Rugby clubs have pledged to cooperate with RA's desire for on-field centralisation.