Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will join the All Blacks as a selector.
Joe Schmidt. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealander Schmidt, who is working with the Blues as an assistant coach next Super Rugby season, will replace the outgoing Grant Fox on the All Blacks selection panel.
Fox will step down after next year's July test series against Ireland in Aotearoa.
Fox has been a selector for more than ten years, firstly under former head coach Steve Hansen and latterly alongside current head coach Ian Foster and fellow selector and All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree.
Foster said it was exciting to have someone of Schmidt's calibre take on the role.
"Joe will bring a wealth of New Zealand and international experience into the role, so we are delighted to have him join us. He will work closely with me and 'Plums' on selections but his insights will be valuable in other areas as well, so we look forward to having him join us."
Schmidt is currently working part time as a support coach with the Blues for next year's Super Rugby Pacific competition and will then join the All Blacks, with his first All Blacks selection role to be helping select the squad for the Rugby Championship.
Schmidt was formerly an assistant coach with the Blues from 2005 to 2007.
He coached Ireland from 2013 to 2019, winning three Six Nations titles, and also won titles coaching French club Clermont Auvergne and Irish club Leinster.
He was also recently World Rugby's Director of Rugby and High Performance.
Schmidt said he's looking forward to the new challenge.
"It's humbling to be involved and I'm looking forward to learning more about the players and the All Blacks environment and helping out as best I can."
Foster said Fox had planned to leave his role as selector following the 2019 World Cup, but he managed to convince him to stay until early next year.
"Foxy has been huge for me personally and for the team as a whole and we were so grateful to have him involved for longer than expected. He says now is the time for him to fully focus on his family and business interests. We will farewell him closer to the time when he finishes up next year."
