Joe Schmidt was one of the names mentioned by New Zealand Rugby’s chief executive Steve Tew as a possible replacement for Steve Hansen when he leaves his post as head coach of the All Blacks.
Hansen has served as coach of the side since 2012 guided his side to the Webb Ellis Cup in 2015 but Tew entertained the idea that he could step down from the role after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Speaking to the Guardian, he revealed some of the top candidates for the job with New Zealand’s assistant coach Ian Foster top of the list but Joe Schmidt was also mentioned as one of the prime candidates.
“In my view, Ian Foster is sitting there as a very strong candidate when Steve does finish but there’ll be others,” said Tew.
“Joe (Schmidt) is sitting in Ireland and we’d like to have him back. Vern (Cotter) is coaching at a very high level and you wouldn’t rule [Warren Gatland] out either.”
Schmidt signed a deal in October that will keep him as Ireland coach until after the 2019 World Cup where the position for the New Zealand job could possibly open up for the 51-year-old.
Warren Gatland was among the other names mentioned, the New Zealand is well respected in his homeland for his stints with Wales and the Lions.
Tew was asked whether Gatland’s stock could rise if the Lions were to go on to win the series against New Zealand.
“You’ll have to ask Warren what he wants to do next. We don’t know what Steve’s doing yet but what we will do is manage the transition very well. We’ll be sitting down later this year to work out the process.”
The Lions will play on Saturday morning against the Crusaders and have their first test match against the All Blacks on 24 June.
