Nick Bishop …. Best rugby analyst around.
He is. But he is not without attitude. His final summary paragraph starting with :-
"If there is any time Australian rugby needs to respond to that touch on the arm, rise and walk with New Zealand, it is now."
A summary of needing to be serious about Kiwi coaching options would have been logical, but this is not what it says and not what he is implying.
To lock in to New Zealand, and this is well-trodden, requires two parties to tango. On the whole New Zealand is quick to suggest that a strong Australia is good for a strong NewZealand - but also on the whole followed immediately with how Australia needs to adapt to suit New Zealand. And a presumption from Kiwis that these two things are one-and-the-same. Which of course they are not. I'd go further in suggesting that things that NewZealand should like to prioritise are necessarily different to what Australia requires.
I'm comfortable with the idea of conceding to a Kiwi HC, and you can't get a more strongly proven candidate than Schmidt. Even if I suspect the rugby that follows would be dull as dishwater. Right now (and for some time to come) that doesn't matter.
In terms of walking with NZ? Well that entirely depends on whether they are walking where we need to go. Options for separation need to always be on the consideration list from now on. Always.