Wallabies urged to sign Leon McDonald after row with All Blacks coaches

MacDonald said at the time that Schmidt had been a valuable mentor as a coach and his presence at the Auckland franchise had been instrumental in the Blues reaching the Super Rugby finals in 2022. It was their first appearance in the finals since 2003, but they were beaten by the Robertson-coached Crusaders.

“It’s worth a call. If you’re Joe Schmidt and you’ve coached colleagues in the past, it’s worth a call,” Horan said.

“Even if it’s not a full-time coaching opportunity, it could be an opportunity to come see Joe, tell us what you see and what you think.” Leon may not be looking for another job, but he knows Joe well.

“The big challenge would be, given the amount of intellectual property he owns on the All Blacks, how much he would be prepared to give to the Wallabies.”

Schmidt does not have a specialist backs coach in his team and runs the attack himself.

The Wallabies’ attack has come under scrutiny in recent weeks. After starting well against Wales, Australia’s attack in their two encounters with the Springboks has been criticised for its inefficiency and lack of consistency.

“It’s just the attacking structure that’s missing,” Horan said. “I was pretty impressed with the first two games against Wales, and how they’ve been able to expand their game, and Hunter Paisami playing second reception and getting the ball to the back, instead of just carrying the ball all the time. That just hasn’t been the case since those first two Tests.”

The Wallabies will travel to Argentina on Friday for two tests, but Paisami will not be travelling due to a knee injury.

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Specialist replacement options are uncapped centres Hamish Stewart and David Feliuai, or potentially outside centre Len Ikitau moving into one spot – as he did in the second half of the Wallabies’ defeat to South Africa in Perth.

Stewart, a 26-year-old former Reds number 10 with more than 100 Super Rugby caps to his name, is the favourite.

“Nobody is going to get there with Hamish in defence at No. 12,” Horan said.

“And he’s been with the team since the start of the season. He looks like he’s bulked up a bit and is really fit. He’s been training with them all the time and warming up for every Test match. So he wouldn’t be far away.”

Horan said the selectors could look to move Ikitau to No.12 and Kellaway to No.13 if they want to make room for Max Jorgensen as the starting winger.

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