February 8, 2025 • 10 mins
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt will step down at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship, with Australia announcing Thursday they would immediately begin the search for his successor.
Schmidt’s last game in charge will now be the Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand on October 4 in Perth after he agreed to stay on a bit longer.
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly joined Piney to discuss.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk SEDB, Jorgansen, Max Jorvison, Max Jargison.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
No, they didn't.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Oh my goodness me.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Oh, it's unbelievable. It's one of the greatest moments in
Wallaby's history and it belongs to Jorganson.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
They have stunned England.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
The highlights of last year for the Wallabies was the
win over England at Twickenham. Joe Shmitt, it has been
announced this week, will step down as Wallaby's coach at
the end of the Rugby Championship Now. He was initially
contracted until the end of the mid year Lions tour,
but has opted to extend by three months. In a statement,
(00:53):
Joshmitt outlined the importance of spending time with his family,
who have remained here in New Zealand. So his last
game in charge will be on the fourth of October
against the All Blacks in Perth. Let's bring in Wima
Wallaby's coach John Connolly, who took over the team in
two thousand and six and took them through to the
two thousand and seven Rugby World Cup. Firstly, John, that
(01:16):
good afternoon we're surprised when you heard this news that
Joe Schmidt will step away after the Rugby Championship this year.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Well, I probably didn't expect anything, but we always knew
that was on the cards and I think you heard
the Australian wun were aware that was a likelihood and
they've got some plans in place to replace him. But
on the surface, it doesn't appear to be any standout
(01:44):
stands out Kendad, so it'll be interesting where they go
to from here.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Yeah, I want to get to the candidates in a minute,
but do you think do you think when they hired
Joe Schmitt, Rugby Australia thought maybe they'd be able to
convince him to stay on, that he'd love it so
much that he'd stay.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Yeah, I think the obviously it's a good the case
and he was happy to get on board. They'd have
you out line's press statement, dare me priority and we
all understand that he left island for the same reasons.
Put his toe back in the water here and I
think it's very keen to get back to New Zealand,
(02:21):
which I understand.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Indeed, So whoever takes over, we'll have two years in
charge before the twenty twenty seven Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Is that long enough?
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I think so. It's a fairly stayed or team at
the moment. I mean they're thereabout were still only we
won lesson to say our games this year. Then we
can see a distinct improvement from the Envie Jones years.
Distinct improvement and I hoping they would build on that. Yes,
I think the new coach that comes in will probably
(02:53):
pick up the same players and hopefully they're healthy and
I'll keep improving. And it's becoming an older side now
and they've got a fair good of experience, so we're hopeful.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
When you took over Worth even less than two years
before the two thousand and seven Rugby World Cup, John,
where did you place your focus in a truncated time
frame like that.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Well, the first thing you look at is teams that
have been successful in World Cups. I've had a lot
of experienced the team work together. We never had that
with when I took other We had seven or eight
or nine very experienced players, the mortlock S, the Ghetto's,
the Dicaments and sharps, and we also had a real
gap from the inexperienced players, and you know, it's such
(03:38):
a huge occasion, it can be very over bearing on
some young players and we found that towards the end.
I thought, we've got through our quarter final, kicked the
goal at the end of the sting you may well
have gone all the way, but especially that New Zealand
have been knocked out, which made a bit easier for
blood everyone. But I mean, yeah, I think thee of
(04:01):
the steps in will we take you over an experience side,
a fairly happy, happy side. Joe had a couple of years.
Ben is it down very nicely people that come in.
But I said, I just said, do you hear the text?
Your next step is the big one. He's going to
take over, so they'll be they'll be in that process
(04:25):
now there's no huge hoarring, but they have to get
it right. They really have to get it right.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
All right, let's get to that.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Then.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
I presume he hasn't texted you back, and even if
he has, you probably wouldn't tell us what he said.
But in your mind, are the strongest candidates to take
over from Joe Schmid at the back end of the
Rugby Championship.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Well, there's no standout. I mean the poor super rugby
coaches here, unless Kiss maybe hasn't got a huge amount
of runs on the board. With a Wild's coach struggle
with Leicester big time last year, We'll see how he
goes with you. So Whales Steve a Arkham will be mentioned,
(05:08):
but there's no standing at canidate whatsoever and what the
structure his coach team look at. Joe Smith came into
it when his age was he was an experienced international
coach and that is a real advantage at the moment.
Whoever steps up, they won't go back to Michael Checker,
would be no chance, I believe or not. The plan
(05:31):
that person I feel sorry for that still goes to
play is David Greeny. I thought he was treated very
badly and he had a lot of injuries put up with.
I don't know if he ever come back and went
very close to the All Blacks and a couple of
game one point beaten by France opened the conversation there
(05:53):
In New Zealand, Jamie Joseph, someone who I've never met,
I've always thought I really rate his teams very highly.
They would be the two outside Australia and I wouldn't
think the Ryan o'garaz would have any chance, but someone
with a lot of experience is important. I Renny and
(06:15):
Joseph definitely ticked those boxes. We're in Australia. I'm just
not sure none of them have got any great forwards board.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
As you said then, John, they wouldn't go back to
Michael Checker. Why is that?
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Yeah, I think the terms when he left weren't. You know,
it wasn't a happy separation, but luqually check likes to
do things his way and I think in terms of
selections and selection party assistant coaches. Yeah, I just I
would be very surprised. I let background that room. I mean,
(06:52):
I know that sounds funny where you suggested ready maybe possibility,
but I'd be surprised they looked to have the Bichael
check Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
That was a very different parting of the ways, wasn't
it with Dave? And I think you're right. I think
even over on the side of the Tasman John, we
all we all sort of scratched our heads a bit
about the removal of Dave Rennie and the and the
the incoming Eddie Jones and we all know how that
worked out. Would Dave Rennie entertain a conversation with Daniel
Herbert about about coming back.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
In I don't know. I would hope he would. A
lot of a lot of Australians are really disappointed how
that happened, and I'm on record when they pointed early
it was going to be a disaster for day one
and David had to overcome a lot of difficulties aside
that was struggling a bit tremendous, a lot of injuries
and he did a pretty good job and was very
(07:44):
popular in the player. So I would. I would definitely
if I was going Australian Roubia, I picked up the phone,
I would, and I'd pick up the phone to Jamie Jaseph.
That's only me personally. I don't think there's any other
overseas people that had the runs on the board that
you could support and coaching the team. He's not a
(08:07):
word man job, having the best assistance, the best selection panel,
and you've got to do your share of work on
the field as well. We have gone down the road
at times in Australia the coach didn't do as much
as you should have done the field. He's more of
a manager. So the area you have got a lot
of work to do to get the right person and
(08:30):
what that structure looks like.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
And just to circle back to Jo Smitt to finish,
you've you've talked about the way he's coached this side.
He'll hand a team over at the back end of
this year. They still a big year of rugby hedge
on of course, but the Lions tour and the Rugby Championship.
But do you think they'll have He'll have advanced the
Wallabies judgment from from what he took over.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
I think so, But on results it may not appear
so that I think is the team appears to be
far set, more settled, and there's a betit of elif
back of Australian rugby and probably disappointment that he's leading.
So yeah, I think he's done a pretty good job
(09:12):
and in Australia have got a tremendously the idea, the plan,
the Lions three times, the all blacks in the spring
box a couple of times. It doesn't get much harder,
don't So I'm kind of I wish if possibly had
stepped aside at the Lions to it after that and
then someone else came in and did the work and
(09:32):
then took them on the tour at the end of
the year. That would have been that. I could also
understand the other option finished his job here in Australia
and then the new person comes in and takes over.
So the transition has to be smooth in selections, it
has to be smooth and how they're playing the game.
So he said, the Australia rode the Union. You know,
(09:54):
the appointment of there, it was a disaster. They've got
put a lot of thought into who they bring in
and what type of structure that that looks like, and
so they've got a bit of work to do.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
You've provided us with some terrific insight, John, Thanks so
much for joining us. We'll watch with interest from this
side of the testament, but really appreciate your time this afternoon.
Right's a pressure, no, thanks for joining us, John, John
Connelly there knuckles as they used to call them, former
Wallabies coach talking a lot of scenes as per usual.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from Newstalk SEDB, Jorgansen, Max Jorvison, Max Jargison.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
No, they didn't.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Oh my goodness me.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Oh, it's unbelievable. It's one of the greatest moments in
Wallaby's history and it belongs to Jorganson.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
They have stunned England.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
The highlights of last year for the Wallabies was the
win over England at Twickenham. Joe Shmitt, it has been
announced this week, will step down as Wallaby's coach at
the end of the Rugby Championship Now. He was initially
contracted until the end of the mid year Lions tour,
but has opted to extend by three months. In a statement,
(00:53):
Joshmitt outlined the importance of spending time with his family,
who have remained here in New Zealand. So his last
game in charge will be on the fourth of October
against the All Blacks in Perth. Let's bring in Wima
Wallaby's coach John Connolly, who took over the team in
two thousand and six and took them through to the
two thousand and seven Rugby World Cup. Firstly, John, that
(01:16):
good afternoon we're surprised when you heard this news that
Joe Schmidt will step away after the Rugby Championship this year.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Well, I probably didn't expect anything, but we always knew
that was on the cards and I think you heard
the Australian wun were aware that was a likelihood and
they've got some plans in place to replace him. But
on the surface, it doesn't appear to be any standout
(01:44):
stands out Kendad, so it'll be interesting where they go
to from here.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
Yeah, I want to get to the candidates in a minute,
but do you think do you think when they hired
Joe Schmitt, Rugby Australia thought maybe they'd be able to
convince him to stay on, that he'd love it so
much that he'd stay.
Speaker 3 (02:00):
Yeah, I think the obviously it's a good the case
and he was happy to get on board. They'd have
you out line's press statement, dare me priority and we
all understand that he left island for the same reasons.
Put his toe back in the water here and I
think it's very keen to get back to New Zealand,
(02:21):
which I understand.
Speaker 2 (02:22):
Indeed, So whoever takes over, we'll have two years in
charge before the twenty twenty seven Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Is that long enough?
Speaker 3 (02:32):
I think so. It's a fairly stayed or team at
the moment. I mean they're thereabout were still only we
won lesson to say our games this year. Then we
can see a distinct improvement from the Envie Jones years.
Distinct improvement and I hoping they would build on that. Yes,
I think the new coach that comes in will probably
(02:53):
pick up the same players and hopefully they're healthy and
I'll keep improving. And it's becoming an older side now
and they've got a fair good of experience, so we're hopeful.
Speaker 2 (03:04):
When you took over Worth even less than two years
before the two thousand and seven Rugby World Cup, John,
where did you place your focus in a truncated time
frame like that.
Speaker 3 (03:15):
Well, the first thing you look at is teams that
have been successful in World Cups. I've had a lot
of experienced the team work together. We never had that
with when I took other We had seven or eight
or nine very experienced players, the mortlock S, the Ghetto's,
the Dicaments and sharps, and we also had a real
gap from the inexperienced players, and you know, it's such
(03:38):
a huge occasion, it can be very over bearing on
some young players and we found that towards the end.
I thought, we've got through our quarter final, kicked the
goal at the end of the sting you may well
have gone all the way, but especially that New Zealand
have been knocked out, which made a bit easier for
blood everyone. But I mean, yeah, I think thee of
(04:01):
the steps in will we take you over an experience side,
a fairly happy, happy side. Joe had a couple of years.
Ben is it down very nicely people that come in.
But I said, I just said, do you hear the text?
Your next step is the big one. He's going to
take over, so they'll be they'll be in that process
(04:25):
now there's no huge hoarring, but they have to get
it right. They really have to get it right.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
All right, let's get to that.
Speaker 3 (04:33):
Then.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
I presume he hasn't texted you back, and even if
he has, you probably wouldn't tell us what he said.
But in your mind, are the strongest candidates to take
over from Joe Schmid at the back end of the
Rugby Championship.
Speaker 3 (04:45):
Well, there's no standout. I mean the poor super rugby
coaches here, unless Kiss maybe hasn't got a huge amount
of runs on the board. With a Wild's coach struggle
with Leicester big time last year, We'll see how he
goes with you. So Whales Steve a Arkham will be mentioned,
(05:08):
but there's no standing at canidate whatsoever and what the
structure his coach team look at. Joe Smith came into
it when his age was he was an experienced international
coach and that is a real advantage at the moment.
Whoever steps up, they won't go back to Michael Checker,
would be no chance, I believe or not. The plan
(05:31):
that person I feel sorry for that still goes to
play is David Greeny. I thought he was treated very
badly and he had a lot of injuries put up with.
I don't know if he ever come back and went
very close to the All Blacks and a couple of
game one point beaten by France opened the conversation there
(05:53):
In New Zealand, Jamie Joseph, someone who I've never met,
I've always thought I really rate his teams very highly.
They would be the two outside Australia and I wouldn't
think the Ryan o'garaz would have any chance, but someone
with a lot of experience is important. I Renny and
(06:15):
Joseph definitely ticked those boxes. We're in Australia. I'm just
not sure none of them have got any great forwards board.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
As you said then, John, they wouldn't go back to
Michael Checker. Why is that?
Speaker 3 (06:31):
Yeah, I think the terms when he left weren't. You know,
it wasn't a happy separation, but luqually check likes to
do things his way and I think in terms of
selections and selection party assistant coaches. Yeah, I just I
would be very surprised. I let background that room. I mean,
(06:52):
I know that sounds funny where you suggested ready maybe possibility,
but I'd be surprised they looked to have the Bichael
check Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:03):
That was a very different parting of the ways, wasn't
it with Dave? And I think you're right. I think
even over on the side of the Tasman John, we
all we all sort of scratched our heads a bit
about the removal of Dave Rennie and the and the
the incoming Eddie Jones and we all know how that
worked out. Would Dave Rennie entertain a conversation with Daniel
Herbert about about coming back.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
In I don't know. I would hope he would. A
lot of a lot of Australians are really disappointed how
that happened, and I'm on record when they pointed early
it was going to be a disaster for day one
and David had to overcome a lot of difficulties aside
that was struggling a bit tremendous, a lot of injuries
and he did a pretty good job and was very
(07:44):
popular in the player. So I would. I would definitely
if I was going Australian Roubia, I picked up the phone,
I would, and I'd pick up the phone to Jamie Jaseph.
That's only me personally. I don't think there's any other
overseas people that had the runs on the board that
you could support and coaching the team. He's not a
(08:07):
word man job, having the best assistance, the best selection panel,
and you've got to do your share of work on
the field as well. We have gone down the road
at times in Australia the coach didn't do as much
as you should have done the field. He's more of
a manager. So the area you have got a lot
of work to do to get the right person and
(08:30):
what that structure looks like.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
And just to circle back to Jo Smitt to finish,
you've you've talked about the way he's coached this side.
He'll hand a team over at the back end of
this year. They still a big year of rugby hedge
on of course, but the Lions tour and the Rugby Championship.
But do you think they'll have He'll have advanced the
Wallabies judgment from from what he took over.
Speaker 3 (08:51):
I think so, But on results it may not appear
so that I think is the team appears to be
far set, more settled, and there's a betit of elif
back of Australian rugby and probably disappointment that he's leading.
So yeah, I think he's done a pretty good job
(09:12):
and in Australia have got a tremendously the idea, the plan,
the Lions three times, the all blacks in the spring
box a couple of times. It doesn't get much harder,
don't So I'm kind of I wish if possibly had
stepped aside at the Lions to it after that and
then someone else came in and did the work and
(09:32):
then took them on the tour at the end of
the year. That would have been that. I could also
understand the other option finished his job here in Australia
and then the new person comes in and takes over.
So the transition has to be smooth in selections, it
has to be smooth and how they're playing the game.
So he said, the Australia rode the Union. You know,
(09:54):
the appointment of there, it was a disaster. They've got
put a lot of thought into who they bring in
and what type of structure that that looks like, and
so they've got a bit of work to do.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
You've provided us with some terrific insight, John, Thanks so
much for joining us. We'll watch with interest from this
side of the testament, but really appreciate your time this afternoon.
Right's a pressure, no, thanks for joining us, John, John
Connelly there knuckles as they used to call them, former
Wallabies coach talking a lot of scenes as per usual.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk zed B weekends from midday or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio.
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