Joe Schmidt’s decision to walk away as Wallabies coach puts Australian rugby back in flux. Five coaches in six years doesn’t reflect well on any organisation, and the aftershocks of Thursday’s announcement on fans, players, administrators and coaches will be seismic. Two years out from a World Cup on home turf and the host nation is starting over. Again.
Schmidt’s decision was not unexpected. The hallmark of his 13-month tenure as national coach has been honesty. He said from the outset this was a short term deal to stabilise a Wallabies side in freefall and rebuild it so another could take the reins long-term. “Get the job done over the next 18 months [and] momentum heading in the right direction,” he said.
