Australia set to appoint Joe Schmidt as head coach - Report

Rugby Australia are set to announce Joe Schmidt as the new head coach according to reports.

According to Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian board had a successful discussion with the former Ireland coach with an official announcement expected in the coming days.

The 58-year-old if appointed will take over the role from Eddie Jones, who was appointed in 2023 but the team endured a tough phase having won just two out of the nine matches.

Under Jones, they also became the first ever Wallabies side to exit from the Rugby World Cup in the opening round of the competition in France last year.

Meanwhile, Schmidt started his coaching career as an assistant coach with Bay of Plenty, Blues and Clermont before taking in charge of Leinster in 2010. He became the head coach of Ireland in 2013 and guided them to three Six Nations titles (2014, 2015 and Grand Slam 2018).

He also guided Ireland to first ever win against New Zealand in Chicago in 2016 and again defeated the All Blacks two years later in the November series. He also helped Leinster to six finals and winning four trophies, including a PRO12 title, two European Cups and a Challenge Cup.

He took up the World Rugby role director of rugby and high performance in October 2020 and worked with the All Blacks as a selector and assistant coach in 2022 and 2023.