The fact that Joe Schmidt hasn’t made a decision on his future known is worrying for most rugby fans in Ireland.
The Kiwi told us that he would make up his mind after Ireland’s tour to South Africa, where they won the opening Test but lost the series 2-1.
We are no closer to discovering whether Schmidt will stay or go but, one imagines, it will arrive ahead of the 2016/17 season.
Steve Hansen’s comments about staying on as All Blacks coach until the 2019 World Cup initially seemed to be good news for Ireland but another Super Rugby franchise has now expressed an interest in Schmidt.
Having already been linked to The Highlanders – Super Rugby champions in 2015 – Schmidt is now on The Chiefs’ radar. Their chief executive, Andrew Flexman told Stuff:
“Joe is definitely a guy we’d be interested in having a discussion with.
“I’ve been made aware of the fact there’s the potential for him to look at moving home next year and there’s been some attention around the Highlanders having some interest in him.
“If he was to return, given his pedigree and personal circumstances and the fact he’s coached in the Bay of Plenty, he’s certainly a guy we’d love to talk to.
“Given what he’s achieved in his coaching career if we are looking to appoint a new head coach then he’d be an obvious candidate.”
This is the last thing we want to read on a Sunday morning.
