Will British and Irish Lions appoint another Kiwi coach?
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ireland captain Rory Best believes Joe Schmidt should be the man to coach the British and Irish Lions in 2021.
New Zealander Schmidt will leave his role as Ireland’s head coach after the 2019 World Cup in Japan to focus on his family. Current Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell will take over the Ireland reins from Schmidt.
Under Schmidt Ireland have won three Six Nations title, which includes one Grand Slam. Ireland have also beaten world champions All Blacks twice in the last two years.
The British and Irish Lions will face the Springboks in South Africa in 2021 and Best believes a series victory will be on the cards with Schmidt in charge.
“The Lions is one of the few things he hasn’t done,” said Best.
“He hasn’t been given the opportunity to be successful there.”
He added: “I have no doubt that he would be successful given that opportunity.
“There’s no doubt with the way he performs and the way he goes about his business that he could take the Lions and be successful with them.
“I think Joe could very, very comfortably walk into a Lions role and get a team prepared to win a Test series in South Africa.
“Right from the word go he’s expecting things from you. Very quickly the penny would drop, and everyone would enjoy being there.”
Warren Gatland has overseen the past two Lions series, earning a 2-1 victory over Australia in 2013 and securing a draw versus New Zealand four years later.
Departing All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has also been thrown up as a contender for the B&I Lions job after Gatland.
Source: BBC & stuff.co.nz
