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18th March 2018
05:20pm GMT

'Many then believe he will return to New Zealand to take up a job with the All Blacks. Sure why would he stay here when the All Blacks want him? That attitude still pervades even though we have now beaten the fabled side and five men - Furlong, O'Brien, Murray, Sexton and McGrath - have done it twice.'All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is set to step down after the 2019 World Cup, or step back at least. By then he will have been involved with the New Zealand national side - as assistant then head coach - for 15 years. Warren Gatland is set to return to New Zealand, from Wales, after the tournament but most locals want Schmidt.
Were Schmidt to leave Ireland, he would go with nothing but the best of wishes and with a legacy of success left behind.
Ireland should be doing all they can to keep him around as long as possible, though. Six Nations and World Cup campaigns will always be there but there is one job offer that could definitely help with getting Schmidt to stay on - becoming head coach of the 2021 British & Irish Lions.
Schmidt was interested in talking to the Lions management about leading the representative side to New Zealand in 2017 but they had already promised the position to Gatland after his 2013 success in Australia. He was approached about an assistant coach role [overseeing the backs primarily] but he turned it down.
Lions officials should cut the two years of suspense now and offer the job to Schmidt.
He would be expected to step away from his Ireland duties for an entire season but between Andy Farrell and Simon Easterby, the men in green would have two top men to hold the fort. If they needed any more assistance, they could call on Leinster [and former England] coach Stuart Lancaster.
Schmidt has been in Europe - with Clermont, Leinster and Ireland - and has won a Top 14 title, a PRO12 title, a Challenge Cup, two Heineken Cups, three Six Nations and a Grand Slam. With Ireland hosting England and France in the 2019 Six Nations, he will be after consecutive Grand Slams but he is desperate to make his mark at the World Cup.
The NZRU want Schmidt to return home but he has forged a pretty dam successful one here.
He will be sorely tempted to take over the All Blacks but the Lions job offer may sway him yet.Explore more on these topics: