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Joe Schmidt to coach the Auckland Blues after the 2019 RWC

  • 01-04-2018 6:19pm
    #1
    swiwi_
    Registered Users Posts: 4,391 ✭✭✭


    NZ rugby today announced that current Irish coach Joe Schmidt will return home after the 2019 RWC. He will take over the reigns at the struggling Auckland Blues, replacing Tana Umaga, whose contract expires in 2019. The NZRU currently requires All Black head coaches to have NZ coaching experience (Super Rugby, Mitre 10 Cup, NZ 7s) immediately prior to their national appointment.

    Speaking to Auckland-based Radio Sport today, Schmidt said following the global tournament, he and his wife Kellie felt it would be the right time to head home. "I have made lifelong friends in Ireland, and will keep many fond memories of our time there, but I look forward to the challenge of working with the Blues".

    It's rumoured Schmidt is hoping to team up again with Jono Gibbes, who recently returned to NZ where he will coach the Waikato Mitre 10 cup side.

    Gonna be a big hole for Irish rugby to fill, no doubt that he will have left the team in a good place though.


Comments

  • #2
    Beechwoodspark
    Registered Users Posts: 14,685 ✭✭✭✭Beechwoodspark


    swiwi_ wrote: »
    NZ rugby today announced that current Irish coach Joe Schmidt will return home after the 2019 RWC. He will take over the reigns at the struggling Auckland Blues, replacing Tana Umaga, whose contract expires in 2019. The NZRU currently requires All Black head coaches to have NZ coaching experience (Super Rugby, Mitre 10 Cup, NZ 7s) immediately prior to their national appointment.

    Speaking to Auckland-based Radio Sport today, Schmidt said following the global tournament, he and his wife Kellie felt it would be the right time to head home. "I have made lifelong friends in Ireland, and will keep many fond memories of our time there, but I look forward to the challenge of working with the Blues".

    It's rumoured Schmidt is hoping to team up again with Jono Gibbes, who recently returned to NZ where he will coach the Waikato Mitre 10 cup side.

    Gonna be a big hole for Irish rugby to fill, no doubt that he will have left the team in a good place though.

    Noooooooooooooooooo ooooooo ooooo


  • #3
    ongarite
    Registered Users Posts: 7,968 ✭✭✭ongarite


    April Fools.


  • #4
    Zzippy
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 14,165 Mod ✭✭✭✭Zzippy


    *checks the date*

    Nice one, swiwi! ;););)


  • #5
    sydthebeat
    Subscribers Posts: 39,476 ✭✭✭✭sydthebeat


    Is it not already the 2nd of April in kiwi land??


  • #6
    amcalester
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,122 ✭✭✭amcalester


    No way that’d be announced in NZ before Ireland.

    Joe has too much class for that.


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  • #7
    Neil3030
    Registered Users Posts: 16,426 ✭✭✭✭Neil3030


    In before RugbyLad run this story.


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