Joe Schmidt will leave his position as Australia head coach after this year’s Rugby Championship, leaving the Wallabies facing another search to fill the role two years out from hosting the Rugby World Cup.

Joe Schmidt has agreed to continue as head coach of the Wallabies until after the 2025 Rugby Championship to allow Rugby Australia time to recruit a replacement.

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt will step down at the end of this year’s Rugby Championship, with Australia announcing Thursday they would immediately begin the search for his successor. The 59-year-old New Zealander’s original contract had been due to expire at the end of the British and Irish Lions tour in early August.

October 4, 2025 will mark the final time Joe Schmidt coaches the Wallabies as he departs the position at the end of the Rugby Championship. The Kiwi-born Schmidt has only been in the role just over a year but his impact has been felt dramatically during his time.

The decision Australian rugby fans expected, but still feared, was finally revealed on Thursday afternoon. So who is best placed to replace Joe Schmidt?

He will stay for the Rugby Championship and is keen to stay involved longer-term as an advisor, but the Wallabies will need a new head coach for October and beyond, covering the s

Joe Schmidt decided he needed to offer more immediate support to his son and wife but is open to staying on in an advisory role.