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Josef (Joe) Schmidt is a New Zealand rugby union coach and is currently the head coach of Leinster Rugby after being appointed to take over from Michael Cheika in December 2009. He took up the position at the start of the 2010–11 season on a three year contract from his previous position as ASM Clermont Auvergne backs coach. Originally from Manawatu on New Zealands North Island, he is a qualified teacher and former school headmaster. Leinster is his first senior head coach position.

Early career in Ireland
He was director of rugby and played at full back with Mullingar RFC for three years between 1991 and 1993. During this period he also was an assistant coach in Wilson's Hospital School and helped them to the Leinster Schools senior 'A' rugby cup.

He coached Palmerston North Boys' High School 1st XV Since then the former teacher has embarked on a journey educating players under his care in a career that has seen him graduate from New Zealand Schools backs coach (1999-2003) into the professional arena in the same role at Bay of Plenty (2003-2004), where the Ranfurly Shield was won for the first time, Auckland Blues (2004-2007) and Clermont-Auvergne (2007-2010).

New Zealander Joe Schmidt was appointed as head coach of Leinster in December 2009 and assumed the reigns on a full time basis at the start of the 2010/2011 season.

Before taking over, the coach helped guide Clermont Auvergne to their first ever Top 14 title in France, in his capacity of assistant coach to Vern Cotter. A backline expert, Schmidt's exploits alongside his fellow Kiwi saw him rise to prominence thanks to a consistent run of competitive seasons.

When Michael Cheika announced his decision to step down as Leinster boss, the Irish province moved to appoint the relatively unknown, but highly rated assistant to their top job. The province won't be completely unfamilar territory for the New Zealander who spent a short spell in Mullingar as a player during the early 1990s.

A former school headmaster, Schmidt coached the New Zealand Schools Rugby Team before coaching Bay of Plenty Rugby Union from 2003-2004. He guided the Steamers to the Ranfurly Shield, defeating Auckland on August 15, 2004. They had one successful defence of the title before losing to Canterbury.

Josef joined the Auckland Blues from 2004-2007 where in his final year they were knocked out in the semi-final. He then moved with Cotter to France, where his stylish Clermont side reached four successive finals before finally winning the Bouclier de Brennus in May 2010.

Schmidt coached the New Zealand Schools Rugby Team before coaching Bay of Plenty Rugby Union from 2003–2004. While at the Steamers he won the Ranfurly Shield defeating Auckland on August 15, 2004 The Steamers had one successful defence of the title before losing to Canterbury. Scmidt joined the Auckland Blues from 2004–2007 where, in his final year, were knocked out in the semi-final. He joined Clermont Auvergne in 2007 as a coach where his side finished Top 14 runners-up twice in 2008 & 2009. Under Cotter and Schmidt, Clermont have been runners-up in the Top 14 in 2007, 2008 and 2009. The club has never won the Bouclier De Brennus - the top trophy in French rugby - but has been second on 10 occasions.

reputation for innovative backs coaching

Twice when he coached the Palmerston North Boys' High School 1st XV in New Zealand, they were runners-up in the national competition. He was second once in the Super 14 during a three-year stint as Auckland Blues assistant coach, he was second twice with Clermont in the 2008 and 2009 French Top 14.

Finally, last June, he managed to get the cherished 'W', thanks to Clermont's belated acquisition of the Bouclier de Brennus, France's venerable championship rugby prize.

Leinster
many so-called experts quick to criticise Schmidt after one win from Leinster’s opening four games of the season. But a 13-10 win over bitter rivals Munster in the Aviva Stadium, followed up by a fine start to the Heineken Cup, silenced the doubters and kick started Leinster’s season.

Leinster started their season poorly under the former Clermont backs coach, who now admits he struggled with the rigours of managing within the Ireland player welfare scheme that held his best players back in the early part of the season. They lost three of their first four matches, including a poor display against Treviso, but October’s win over Munster kick-started his season and they’ve rarely looked back.

I didn’t understand probably the players and the player welfare programme and how I could best balance that. It was all totally new to me and it was a very difficult beast to manage."

Already seen off the top two English sides and the top three French

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/2011/05/15/leinster-s-joe-schmidt-it-ll-be-a-war-against-northampton-115875-23132377/#ixzz1MtcFBDxZ

Bay of Plenty

 * Ranfurly Shield: 2004 (1 successful defence)

Clermont Auvergne

 * Top 14 winner: 2010
 * Top 14 runners-up: 2008, 2009

Leinster

 * Heinken Cup Winners: 2011
 * Magners League: Finalist 2011

Personal
Schmidt is married and has four children. Attend High School