FORMER IRISH head coach Joe Schmidt has taken his first job in rugby since leaving these shores. The Kiwi has taken a role as the Blues support coach ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
Schmidt took a role as World Rugby’s director of rugby and high performance in October 2020, but wanted to spend more time with his family and confirmed that he will be stepping down from the role.
The New Zealander has now decided to take up his role with the blue ahead of the upcoming 2022 campaign.
2022 is coming together nicely 👌
Welcome to the Blues Whānau Craig & Joe 🙏💙#WeAreTheBlues #BluesAllDay— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) November 1, 2021
Joe Schmidt statement
I’m really looking forward to coming back and helping out the coaching staff at the Blues,” said Schmidt.
“I know pretty much the whole crew and it’s a nice fit stepping in for Tana, who I greatly respect.
“I have really enjoyed getting to know Leon. He is doing a great job and has got the team in a really good place after their success this year. I’ve also got a lot of time for Ice [McGrath] and look forward to linking up with him again.”
The 56-year-old has been mentoring current Blues head coach Leon McDonald during the last year and will now take up the reins with the Auckland team to replace the departed Tana Umaga.
Schmidt was an assistant coach for the franchise from 2004 until 2007 when he moved to Clermont in France.
He enjoyed great success with Ireland and Leinster winning multiple trophies with both. He won two Heineken Cups, `two further Six Nations title, anda Grand Slam
The World Cup in 2019 was not so fruitful as the Kiwi announced that he was stepping down from coaching following Ireland's exit.
He now returns to the Blues, who have also confirmed the addition of former Boyne RFC coach Craig McGrath as their new defence specialist.
CHOFU, JAPAN - OCTOBER 19: Ireland coach Joe Schmidt (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)