Joe Schmidt: Former Ireland head coach named new Australia boss

Joe Schmidt helped to coach New Zealand to the 2023 Rugby World Cup final

Former Ireland boss Joe Schmidt has been appointed as Australia head coach, succeeding Eddie Jones.

Schmidt's two-year contract begins in March and runs to the end of the next British and Irish Lions tour in 2025.

Jones resigned in October after the Wallabies failed to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time.

"I thought it was a good opportunity to try to pitch in and get Australia up and running," said Schmidt.

The 58-year-old New Zealander joins Australia after working as a selector and assistant coach for the All Blacks.

He led Ireland between 2013 and 2019, winning three Six Nations titles and beating New Zealand for the first time in 111 years.

He was also in charge when the team became world number one for the first time.

Schmidt takes over after a disastrous 2023 for Australia, who only won two World Cup matches and finished bottom of the Rugby Championship table after losing to Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa.

"It's a rebuild that will take a little bit of time and I'm probably a pragmatist," he added. "I can't promise anything other than I'll be working really hard to try to make it as successful as it can be.

"I'm also a realistic coach - you are judged on your outcomes and you live or die by them."

Schmidt's first competition in charge will be this summer's Rugby Championship, but he will have one eye on the Lions tour of Australia in 2025.

That series will see Schmidt go up against his Ireland successor in Andy Farrell, who was named the new Lions coach earlier this month.

Rugby Australia director of high performance Peter Horne said: "It was a unanimous decision to appoint Joe.

"Everyone on the panel was impressed by his demeanour, his calm and logical approach to the game, as well as his communication style.

"Throughout his career, Joe has demonstrated an ability to take a leadership role in structural reform while developing a strong culture and world-class players."