With Rugby Australia still searching for a new Wallabies coach as the calendar turned to April 1, the chance for the marketing pigeon to post a “Round three: Eddie’s back” troll came and went on Tuesday.
It would have created a few ripples. It’s seventeen months on, but still too soon.
A few ripples would have been welcome, though. Any movement at all would be welcome when it comes to the mystery of the Wallabies coach at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which has been the subject of mostly dragged-out silence and speculation for five months.
We know it won’t be Joe Schmidt, at least. Schmidt was only contracted until the end of the Lions tour, and after telling this masthead in November he would make a call about staying or going by Christmas, nothing happened until February 5.
Schmidt would stay for the Rugby Championship, but then depart, leaving a vacancy for a new coach. Having had plenty of time to work up contingency plans, RA said they hoped to whistle through the recruitment process and have an answer early in the upcoming Super Rugby season.
Almost two months later, however, and with Super Rugby round eight about to kick off, there are still no signs of white smoke from the RA chimney, and their recruitment conclave – comprising Phil Waugh, Daniel Herbert, Peter Horne and John Eales – is still tucked away, saying nothing.
Joe Schmidt will stand down as Wallabies head coach after this year’s Rugby Championship.Credit: Getty Images
Glaciers have been more sprightly. But the Jones debacle showed the downside of rushing in, and there is plenty of time before Schmidt’s exit, so what’s the hurry?
Two issues have arisen. The first is a list of off-contract Wallabies players holding and waiting to see who the next coach will be before making a decision on their future. And with a blockage at the top, the medium-tier and lower-tier players are mostly stuck too.
The second problem came via Schmidt’s decision to not do any media interviews until the new coach is announced, barring a few snatched moments on host broadcaster Stan Sport. The Kiwi coach doesn’t want to meddle in the process by offering comments on a replacement, came the explanation.
But where the search for a new coach- and silence from the current one – was initially due to wrap up swiftly, we are now into April – and the biggest rugby tour to our shores in a dozen years is now just 81 days away.
George North of the Lions in Sydney on the 2013 tour of Australia.Credit: Getty
Schmidt hasn’t done an open media interview since December 1, 2024 – five months ago – so fans can only guess the Wallabies coach’s views on topics like the resurgent form of Australia’s Super Rugby teams, some potential bolters (worth a try), overseas-bound Wallabies and his take on the potential Lions squad and styles after the recent Six Nations. And so on and so forth.
In short, help generate buzz and hype about the Lions tour. Ticket sales are strong but they are one part of a rare opportunity for rugby this winter – to dominate the national sporting conversation.
With Lions coach Andy Farrell also notoriously taciturn, however, anticipation levels remain decidedly muted. When is that Lions tour again?
Waugh said he was happy with the speed and progress of the recruitment, and hopes to finalise things as soon as next week. It is a familiar timeline. So where do things stand?
Stuart Lancaster in his time as England coach.Credit: AFP
Les Kiss remains the frontrunner but former England coach Stuart Lancaster has emerged from left-field as a possible crewmate, of sorts.
For months, RA bosses have stressed they want to put together the best possible coaching group, moving away from the habit of deifying the Wallabies head coach.
That isn’t great news for Michael Cheika, a proven winner but also a strongman and “one boss”-style coach.
Lancaster entered the picture when a senior Wallabies figure floated to him late last year that he apply for the Reds job, if Kiss replaced Schmidt.
Lancaster is best known in Australia for England’s disastrous crash-out in the pool stages of their own Rugby World Cup in 2015, courtesy of the Wallabies.
As his replacement, Eddie Jones then took England to 18 wins straight, Lancaster moved to powerhouse Irish province Leinster, where he was “senior coach” – effectively head coach – for seven successful seasons. Respected by leading players as an excellent hands-on coach, Lancaster then moved to Racing 92 in Paris, with which he parted ways at the end of January.
With strong Ireland connections in Schmidt and Kiss, and Englishmen Mike Catt and Geoff Parling already in the Australian system, RA are interested in bringing Lancaster in.
But after 2015, selling Lancaster as a new Wallabies coach – particularly when the job is coaching the host nation at a RWC – would be a Herculean task for RA.
The conclave declined to comment. Keep the eyes peeled for white smoke.
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