Once expected to coach the MHR, New Zealander Joe Schmidt appointed head of the Australian rugby team

Joe Schmidt va succéder à Eddie Jones sur le banc des Wallabies. MAXPPP – Ben Whitley

La fédération australienne de rugby a annoncé la nomination du Néo-Zélandais Joe Schmidt à la tête de la sélection nationale, ce vendredi 19 janvier, alors que son nom avait tourné autour d'une possible arrivée à Montpellier. 

Joe Schmidt will probably not be one of the next MHR coaches. At least in the medium term. The New Zealander, former Ireland coach and then member of the All Blacks staff in recent seasons, was named head of the Australian team this Friday.&nbsp ;

Aged 58, Schmidt has signed with the Wallabies until the summer of 2025 and the future British Lions tour is scheduled to take place at that time- there, while Australia will host the next edition of the World Cup, in 2027.

We’re excited to announce the appointment of Joe Schmidt as our new Head Coach 🦘

Full details 👉 https://t.co/y9pdFWzWdc#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/oW7RaQdujG

— Wallabies (@wallabies) January 19, 2024

Friend of Laporte and prospect in Montpellier

The former coach of the XV de la Clover was approached at the MHR when it was necessary to find new staff after the departure of Richard Cockerill but also for the near future. Bernard Laporte having himself admitted that they were both friends and talked regularly. 

Concerning the current staff, led by Patrice Collazo, they still give complete satisfaction within the club and everything remains open for the next season. Just like the arrival of a former All Blacks coach.