SUPER RUGBY FRANCHISE the Chiefs have joined the list of suitors hoping to snap up Joe Schmidt if he leaves the Ireland job to return to New Zealand.
Schmidt’s Ireland contract runs out next summer and speculation about his long-term future here has intensified since the end of the summer tour in South Africa.
The 50-year-old has already indicated that family circumstances, and his son Luke’s health in particular, will be a key consideration if he decides to move home to his native New Zealand.
And the Chiefs have joined the Highlanders in publicly stating their desire to bring in Schmidt if that does happen.
“Joe is definitely a guy we’d be interested in having a discussion with,” Chiefs CEO Andrew Flexman told Stuff website.
“I’ve been made aware of the fact there’s the potential for him to look at moving home next year and there’s been some attention around the Highlanders having some interest in him.