Joe Schmidt announces departure as Australia head coach

Australia's rugby coach Joe Schmidt has announced he will step down from his position at the end of the Rugby Championship in October 2023. This follows a tumultuous period for the Wallabies, who had suffered a disappointing exit from the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Schmidt was appointed after the exit of Eddie Jones, who had himself replaced Dave Rennie in late 2022. Initially, Schmidt was set to remain until after the series against the British and Irish Lions, but has opted to extend his contract for a few more months to guide the team through the Rugby Championship. Throughout his tenure, Schmidt focused on not only improving the performance of the players but also emphasized the importance of family, citing his own family commitments as a reason for his decision to leave. Rugby Australia now faces the challenge of finding a fourth head coach in as many years, amidst discussions of possible candidates including Michael Cheika, Les Kiss, and Stephen Larkham. The situation is particularly critical, as the Wallabies need steady leadership and direction heading into the next round of competitive fixtures, including future tours, with key matches against South Africa looming. Overall, Schmidt's tenure has been marked by efforts to restore confidence within the team while navigating a landscape of frequent coaching changes and challenging outcomes for Australian rugby.