Joe Schmidt’s appointment as Wallabies head coach sets the stage for epic tactical duels in the 2024 Rugby Championship, and a real test for Rassie Erasmus.

On Friday, Rugby Australia announced that Schmidt had agreed a deal to coach the Wallabies until at least the end of the British & Irish Lions Series in 2025.

The former Ireland coach is the latest in a line of New Zealanders to take on the job, following Robbie Deans and, most recently, Dave Rennie.

Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane argues that Schmidt’s successes with Ireland and his instrumental role with the All Blacks in the 2023 Rugby World Cup make him a formidable addition to the coaching lineup for the rugby championship.

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He highlights the Kiwi connection between Schmidt and Scott Robertson, adding spice to the Bledisloe Cup, and emphasises Schmidt’s valuable insights into the current All Blacks due to his recent collaboration with them.

Keohane also suggests that South Africa’s director of rugby Erasmus, who is set to focus exclusively on the Springboks this year, faces a challenging field of rivals in Schmidt, Robertson and Argentina’s Felipe Contepomi.

“Joe Schmidt opened his account as the new Wallabies coach by saying he is not in the business of selling dreams, but his appointment as Eddie Jones’ successor has turned this season’s rugby championship into a promoter’s dream,” he writes.

“His autobiography title, Ordinary Joe, speaks to how understated Schmidt is as a media personality, but he is certainly no ordinary Joe when it comes to his rugby brain.

“His battles with Robertson, Contepomi and Erasmus this season will be the equal of the best chess grandmasters.

“If Rassie wanted a challenge to keep him interested until the 2027 World Cup, he has been given one.”