WITH THE DUST beginning to settle on the most physically ferocious Test match of the year, and their deep frustration at the performance of the match officials starting to subside, Joe Schmidt and Ireland should feel their spirits lift.
There is one more fixture to come in this November series, with the Wallabies now in town for Saturday’s clash at the Aviva Stadium, but Ireland approach that encounter from a positive position.
Schmidt is happy with November overall so far. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
They have injury concerns over key men this week, but after three international fixtures this month, Schmidt’s side are in a good place. Nine new caps, a first win over the All Blacks and an exceptionally competitive second performance against the best team in the world – for the Kiwi head coach that’s a fine return.
Ireland are, and should be, deeply disappointed to have lost on Saturday in Dublin, but Schmidt sees this month as a success so far.
“Obviously, there was success against Canada in that there were a number of new guys. I think the number of new caps was us trying to take an opportunity to have a bit of a look and to work with a wider group.
“We’ll probably be afforded that opportunity to a degree again [against Australia] because we have guys who are knocked about.
“As far as looking at the overall series, if you had said to me before the series that you’d be two out of three going into the Wallabies, I probably would have taken it because that means we’d have to have beaten New Zealand in one of those two games.
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“Considering we hadn’t done it in 30-odd times of trying in 111 years, you’d probably put your hand up and take one of those.
“As it is now, we weren’t that far away this evening and I think there’s huge merit in the effort that the players put in. Some of the time, as much as you want to be really clear and crisp about what you’re doing, some of it was just pure effort.
Schmidt cracks a smile pre-match in Dublin. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“I thought we didn’t really have a lot of clarity or direction but, gee, they were just determined to try and keep going and they did it incredibly well.”
While Schmidt managed to focus on the positives after Saturday’s bitterly disappointing defeat, one could sense a simmering discontent at how the game had been adjudicated.
What Schmidt did expand on was why he wouldn’t openly criticise the match officials.
“Yeah, look, being vocal, is that a solution? I don’t know,” said Schmidt.
I think you can be vocal through the appropriate channels. I think there’s always a risk in being outspoken, when if you want to affect change you need to have a rapport, you need to engage with people who are making the decisions.
“If you isolate yourself from them then I think you have less access to them and then you potentially have less opportunity to have some sort of discourse to get some answers or to affect change.”
Ireland’s referee report would make for fascinating reading, while their list of referrals to the citing commissioner is likely to have been extensive, even if it only led to two official citings for Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa.
Away from that controversial side of the game, Schmidt rued the loss of key men Robbie Henshaw, Johnny Sexton and CJ Stander inside the opening 22 minutes of the game.
Despite those influential players departing through injury, Ireland can still reflect on having lost the mini-series to New Zealand by just a single point on aggregate, 50-49. Few would have backed such an outcome early this month.
Schmidt will demand that Ireland finish with a win over the Wallabies. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“The one thing that it does give us confidence is we’ve had a few more guys being given the opportunity to play at this level and as long as we can keep growing that while at the same time keeping a core that are experienced.
“You know, I think losing a 10 and your 12, how many times does that happen? I thought CJ was huge in Chicago and losing him as well, it does make it a challenge, especially during the week.
“You sort of train two and a half, maybe three times, during the week and the guys who start tend to get the bulk of that time.
“Therefore, you tend to get a little bit potentially slower to take opportunities [with early changes], you lack a little bit of clarity and suddenly if there’s any lack of clarity they’re getting off the line and putting pressure in your face and it’s very hard to play because they are very proactive and very physical.”
Onwards to the Wallabies with elements of frustration lingering, but a belief that Ireland have grown as a force in recent weeks.
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Schmidt frustrated at All Blacks defeat but views November as a success so far
Updated at 08.00
WITH THE DUST beginning to settle on the most physically ferocious Test match of the year, and their deep frustration at the performance of the match officials starting to subside, Joe Schmidt and Ireland should feel their spirits lift.
There is one more fixture to come in this November series, with the Wallabies now in town for Saturday’s clash at the Aviva Stadium, but Ireland approach that encounter from a positive position.
They have injury concerns over key men this week, but after three international fixtures this month, Schmidt’s side are in a good place. Nine new caps, a first win over the All Blacks and an exceptionally competitive second performance against the best team in the world – for the Kiwi head coach that’s a fine return.
Ireland are, and should be, deeply disappointed to have lost on Saturday in Dublin, but Schmidt sees this month as a success so far.
“Obviously, there was success against Canada in that there were a number of new guys. I think the number of new caps was us trying to take an opportunity to have a bit of a look and to work with a wider group.
“We’ll probably be afforded that opportunity to a degree again [against Australia] because we have guys who are knocked about.
“As far as looking at the overall series, if you had said to me before the series that you’d be two out of three going into the Wallabies, I probably would have taken it because that means we’d have to have beaten New Zealand in one of those two games.
“Considering we hadn’t done it in 30-odd times of trying in 111 years, you’d probably put your hand up and take one of those.
“As it is now, we weren’t that far away this evening and I think there’s huge merit in the effort that the players put in. Some of the time, as much as you want to be really clear and crisp about what you’re doing, some of it was just pure effort.
“I thought we didn’t really have a lot of clarity or direction but, gee, they were just determined to try and keep going and they did it incredibly well.”
While Schmidt managed to focus on the positives after Saturday’s bitterly disappointing defeat, one could sense a simmering discontent at how the game had been adjudicated.
The Ireland head coach managed to bite his tongue and reject several invitations to criticise referee Jaco Peyper and TMO Jon Mason.
What Schmidt did expand on was why he wouldn’t openly criticise the match officials.
“Yeah, look, being vocal, is that a solution? I don’t know,” said Schmidt.
“If you isolate yourself from them then I think you have less access to them and then you potentially have less opportunity to have some sort of discourse to get some answers or to affect change.”
Ireland’s referee report would make for fascinating reading, while their list of referrals to the citing commissioner is likely to have been extensive, even if it only led to two official citings for Sam Cane and Malakai Fekitoa.
Away from that controversial side of the game, Schmidt rued the loss of key men Robbie Henshaw, Johnny Sexton and CJ Stander inside the opening 22 minutes of the game.
Despite those influential players departing through injury, Ireland can still reflect on having lost the mini-series to New Zealand by just a single point on aggregate, 50-49. Few would have backed such an outcome early this month.
“The one thing that it does give us confidence is we’ve had a few more guys being given the opportunity to play at this level and as long as we can keep growing that while at the same time keeping a core that are experienced.
“You know, I think losing a 10 and your 12, how many times does that happen? I thought CJ was huge in Chicago and losing him as well, it does make it a challenge, especially during the week.
“You sort of train two and a half, maybe three times, during the week and the guys who start tend to get the bulk of that time.
“Therefore, you tend to get a little bit potentially slower to take opportunities [with early changes], you lack a little bit of clarity and suddenly if there’s any lack of clarity they’re getting off the line and putting pressure in your face and it’s very hard to play because they are very proactive and very physical.”
Onwards to the Wallabies with elements of frustration lingering, but a belief that Ireland have grown as a force in recent weeks.
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Cane and Fekitoa cited for dangerous tackles in All Blacks’ win over Ireland
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