'Joe has made his position very clear': Schmidt rules himself out of New Zealand job

Joe Schmidt has ruled himself out of the running for the top job with his native New Zealand.

The outgoing Ireland head coach is sticking to his plan to return home and step away from coaching for family reasons following the World Cup.

New Zealand Rugby is recruiting for Steve Hansen's replacement and has approached 26 coaches, all New Zealanders, about applying for the role.

"Joe has made his position very clear," chairman Brent Impey told local media.

"We've kept in close contact with Joe. His plan for family reasons is to step away from coaching.

"He's returning to New Zealand to live. At some point in the future, we see him as very valuable but in the interim, Joe's made his position very clear."

Schmidt's impressive record with Leinster and Ireland had seen him touted as a candidate to replace Hansen before his decision to step away from coaching after this year's World Cup, which ended in a tame defeat to the All Blacks.

New Zealand's attack coach Ian Foster is considered the front-runner to take over, with Crusaders coach Scott Robertson, Japan coach Jamie Joseph, and Glasgow Warriors coach Dave Rennie also in the running.

Who the potential applicants will bring on board as part of their backroom team will be a key consideration for the selection panel, which includes former World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry. A cross-section of players will also be consulted.

The decision is set to be announced before Christmas.

"We believe that we've covered the field in terms of coaches that will have the skill set to do the job," said Impey.

"This is a specialist job, you don't put an ad up on 'Seek' to try and find the next All Blacks coach. All of them have been in our process, from time to time.

"Some have been coaches overseas for a long period, others for a shorter period. But we have communicated with all of them recently to let them know what the process is, inviting them to come forward."