23 Nov 2018

Joe Schmidt to announce his future next week

7:56 am on 23 November 2018

Ireland head rugby coach Joe Schmidt says he will reveal next week whether he will commit his long-term future to Ireland or return to his native New Zealand.

Schmidt's Ireland contract expires after next year's World Cup in Japan and the 53-year-old admits he is still agonising about his decision.

Joe Schmidt

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

"It's a decision that will probably not be finalised until Sunday, certainly by early next week," said Schmidt.

"But it's a decision that's been a long time coming," added the Ireland coach.

"To be honest I've beaten myself up enough about this decision. I'm probably going to be the most pleased of anyone when it is finally made."

Schmidt, who led Ireland to the Grand Slam this year, as well as Six Nations titles in 2014 and 2015, is believed to be front of the queue to step into New Zealand's coaching ranks if he opts to return home.

The New Zealander has masterminded both of Ireland's victories over the All Blacks, including last weekend's 16-9 win in Dublin, and guided his team from eighth to second in the world rankings in five years at the helm.

Ireland reached the quarter-finals of the 2015 World Cup during Schmidt's tenure but will hope to reach at least the last four for the first time in 2019.

Prior to this weekend's final autumn international against the USA the former Leinster boss conceded he continues to wrestle with what represents perhaps the biggest call of his coaching career.

"I know I can't continue to go backwards and forwards. The family I have probably committed most to is this family that I live with in Carton House (Ireland's training base) as much as it is the family I have at home.

"So we've put our heads together and tried to reconcile how we can best, maybe, cater for both."

Steve Hansen's current contract with the All Blacks finishes at the end of 2019.

-BBC