New Zealanders have surprisingly given new Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt the edge over All Blacks coach Scott Robertson as both head into their maiden Rugby Championship campaigns.

In a poll run by the NZ Herald, fans voted that Schmidt was the better coach, with 41% of readers giving the former Ireland head coach the thumbs up.

Only 37% of readers voted for Robertson, who has taken charge of the All Blacks after guiding the Crusaders to six Super Rugby titles.

22% were on the fence and are waiting for the first Bledisloe Cup match between the two teams.

Schmidt was appointed as Wallabies head coach last week, taking over from Eddie Jones, and will coach Australia through to at least the end of the British & Irish Lions Series in 2025.

The New Zealander was in charge of Ireland for six years between 2013 and 2019, winning three Six Nations titles and World Rugby’s Coach of the Year award in 2018. Under Schmidt, Ireland also claimed their first ever win against the All Blacks.

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