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Wallabies' Schmidt rules out another coaching job / Photo: © AFP
Wallabies' Schmidt rules out another coaching job
Outgoing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt Thursday said he had no ambition to do the same job for another national side once he hands over to Les Kiss after the opening round of the Nations Championship.
The New Zealander, 60, was due to step aside after last year's Rugby Championship, but agreed to extend his tenure as Kiss was contracted to the Queensland Reds till mid-2026.
His final game will be against Italy in Perth later this month and Schmidt said he was looking forward to easing up after a glittering career.
"I don't really have any ambition to keep coaching as a head coach or anything else," he said ahead of the Wallabies clash with his old team Ireland in Sydney on Saturday.
"I don't feel like I need to be a head coach, and I certainly don't need to be a national head coach."
Schmidt guided Ireland to the top of the world rankings during his time in charge from 2013 to 2019 and coached heavyweights Leinster to back-to-back European Champions Cup titles.
His son works in Leinster's finance department, but he ruled out any return to the club.
"Wow, they've already got my son working for them, so I don't think they need the whole family," he said.
"I'm proud to say that I was associated with Leinster because they're an incredible outfit, so I probably quietly still support them at times and particularly in those big European games.
"I fly to Ireland on August 10 to go up and see my new grandson. So I'm certainly going up there, but not to be coaching.
"I'm just trying to get through these last three (Wallabies) games, to help as best I can and help the group grow a little bit further."
Q.Taylor--SFF
