As first reported by The Roar, Wallabies’ coach Joe Schmidt has made the first key appointment in his support team, offering another chance to Laurie Fisher, one of the men ditched in the calamitous Eddie Jones era. 

The 65-year-old Fisher has been brought back on board as one of New Zealander Schmidt’s assistants, bringing with him two decades of professional coaching experience and an unmistakably distinctive white-bearded presence .

It will be Fisher’s second stint with the national side, having previously been an assistant to Dave Rennie but then sacked when Jones came on board for his disruptive and unsuccessful reign.

The Canberran, known in the sport as “Lord”, is a former Australia U21s head coach, having also spent time in different coaching capacities with the ACT Brumbies, Irish province Munster and English club Gloucester in England.

Fisher, who spent 18 years in total with the Brumbies, will join up with the Wallabies in April. 

He’s known Schmidt for a long time, with the pair having coached against each other in provincial rugby when they were in Ireland a decade ago.

“It’s a genuine privilege to get another opportunity to work with the Wallabies,” said Fisher.

“I’m really excited to work alongside Joe and the team he puts together, which I know will be of the highest quality.

“There’s no doubt there’s a lot to do and I’m looking forward to doing my bit to contribute to the growth of the team and resurgence of Australian Rugby.”

Schmidt has also linked up with former Ireland and Melbourne Rebels analyst Eoin Toolan, who will join the Australia camp as head of analysis and skills coach. 

“Laurie brings a wealth of experience to the role and is highly respected around the rugby world,” said Schmidt, 58.

“Having worked with Eoin in Ireland, I know he will bring a strong attention to detail and be a very positive addition to the staff and wider team.”

Meanwhile, Ireland will host World Cup conquerors New Zealand and Joe Schmidt’s Australia during a mouth-watering four-match autumn series as part of its 150-year anniversary celebrations.

The All Blacks, who beat Andy Farrell’s side 28-24 in the quarter-finals of last year’s global tournament in France, will visit Dublin on Friday, November 8. 

Former Ireland boss Schmidt will bring the Wallabies to the Aviva Stadium for the series finale on Saturday, November 30. 

In between those stellar fixtures, the reigning Six Nations champions will take on Argentina, on Friday, November 15, and Fiji, on Saturday, November 23. 

With a two-match summer tour against world champions South Africa already scheduled for July, Ireland will end the year having faced each of Test rugby’s other 10 leading nations. 

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The game against Australia has been arranged as part of the Irish Rugby Football Union’s 150th-year celebrations. 

Head coach Farrell, who is preparing for Saturday’s Six Nations title decider against Scotland, said: “This November’s line-up is a hugely exciting one for the Irish rugby public and we are looking forward to competing against four hugely talented sides. 

“There is an added dimension to this year’s autumn series, with a fourth match against Australia set to mark the IRFU’s 150th celebrations. 

“We look forward to testing ourselves against some of the most exciting teams in the world, with whom Ireland has such strong traditions and rivalries. It promises to be a series to remember.” 

The matches will be the final fixtures before Farrell takes a break from his role to focus on leading the British and Irish Lions on their 2025 tour of Australia. 

Series fixtures: 

Ireland v New Zealand, Friday, November 8, 8.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin 

Ireland v Argentina, Friday, November 15, 8.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin 

Ireland v Fiji, Saturday, November 23, 3.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin 

Ireland v Australia, Saturday, November 30, 3.10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin.