New Zealand: Joe Schmidt denied the All Blacks

An Irish media revealed Wednesday that New Zealand's Joe Schmidt, Ireland's current coach, refused to join the All Blacks team last year.

Last October, Joe Schmidt extended his three-year contract with the Irish Rugby Federation (IRFU) to the head of the Clover XV. Yet the 52-year-old New Zealander would have had more than sustained appeals from the New Zealand Rugby Federation (NZRU). This is what revealed Wednesday The 42, an Irish daily. The NZRU would have done everything possible to repatriate Joe Schmidt and make him integrate the staff of the All Blacks, last year. Steve Tew, NZRU president, would consider making the former Leinster coach the replacement for Steve Hansen, the current kiwis coach after the Japanese World Cup in 2019. Joe Schmidt also went through Clermont where he was Deputy of Vern Cotter. According to David Nucifora, coach of the Auckland Blues, the New Zealand federation "exerted considerable pressure" to take the post, in vain.