Australian rugby

Topic: Rugby Union. Joe Schmidt will not coach the Wallabies beyond the Rugby Championship. Getty Images: David Rogers. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will stand down at the end of the Rugby Championship. Rugby Australia RA wanted an answer from Schmidt before the start of the Super Rugby Pacific season and the Kiwi confirmed on Thursday he would extend his contract beyond the British and Irish Lions tour, but would not continue through to the World Cup in Australia in The departure of the year-old forces the governing body to search for a fifth Wallabies coach in six years.

The new coach will steer Australia on the spring tour, with its first clash on October 25 in Tokyo against Japan, which is now coached by Eddie Jones, who took over from Schmidt. Australia's spring tour included wins over England and Wales and a narrow loss to Ireland , which increased optimism about the direction of the Wallabies under Schmidt after a disastrous World Cup under Jones in France.

Australian rugby teams

Joe Schmidt led the Wallabies to a record on its last spring tour, but will not coach on this year's tour. Getty Images: Michael Steele. However Schmidt's wife and son, who requires constant medical care, live in New Zealand which swayed his decision. It is believed Schmidt is open to staying on as a consultant but that will be dependent on the new coach.