Former Irish manager Schmidt joins All Blacks

Former Irish manager Joe Schmidt was named to the All Blacks’ selection committee on Tuesday, but he will not take over until the end of the Irish tour in New Zealand next year. All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has welcomed the arrival of the former Clermont and Leinster coach in place of Grant Fox and the different vision he will bring from the Northern Hemisphere to the new group Zeelander.

Foster replied, “You can easily see the success he’s had and what I also like is that maybe he sees the game a little differently than me and it’s good to bring a new perspective.” Schmidt, 56, has left his position as rugby manager and high performer at the World Rugby Championships during the pandemic in order to spend more time with his family.

He is happy with this new position “because I am a bit obsessed with analyzing the players and the way they play”. Schmidt is well respected in New Zealand rugby circles and was named assistant coach for the All Blacks in 2017, but chose to stay with Ireland. In addition to his role as the pick, Schmidt will also serve as an assistant coach for the Auckland Blues.