IT SAYS A lot about Joe Schmidt that it is impossible to find him in the photographs of Ireland’s post-match celebrations at Twickenham on Saturday.
As his players let loose upon securing the third Grand Slam in Irish rugby’s history and headed for a lap of honour, the head coach retreated back towards the tunnel, keen for the limelight to be around them rather than him.
Schmidt will always insist that the players are the most important element in Ireland’s success, and he’s surely right, but the New Zealander has done a resoundingly brilliant job in leading them.
The 52-year-old was in reflective form when he appeared down one of the corridors of the London venue soon after his players had left the pitch, with his thoughts even turning to home when asked where this Grand Slam ranks alongside his other coaching achievements.
Schmidt recalled winning the prestigious Ranfurly Shield as an assistant coach with Bay of Plenty in 2004, a piece of silverware that is very famous in New Zealand.
“I think Bay of Plenty had been trying to win it for over 100 years and so that was the first really special one,” said Schmidt.
“Yeah, it’s hard to equate anything with this. When I was a kid I used to watch the Five Nations on TV and think these places were on a whole different planet with those massive crowds.
“It’s pretty hard when you’re born in Kawakawa, [with a population of] 1400 people and you’re shifted to the metropolis of Woodville, 1600 people, it’s huge.”
From momentarily drifting back to New Zealand, Schmidt wandered into praising his players again, stressing that a coach “can’t create courage” in their team.
Asked about his last message to those Ireland players before they headed onto the Twickenham pitch for their shot at the Grand Slam, Schmidt meandered into a completely different field.
“I just said ‘get out and play lads’. People presume there is a lot of structure in this, because I think some of the best poetry I have ever read goes beyond the bounds of standard grammar.
“But when you know the grammar really well, you can utilise what you like to get the message across – like when a player has a structure, they can go beyond that and play whatever they see in front of them.
“I just said ‘get out and play and lads.’ I said ‘enjoy this because these are the days you have worked so hard to have.’”
Having brought up the topic of poetry, the Ireland coach was asked whose work he enjoys and named his “pretty rustic” compatriot Sam Hunt, as well as Australian ‘Banjo’ Paterson.
There was mention of “the Irish guys, obviously” as well as his fondness for a good limerick or Haiku.
“I’d have to say I’d be pretty keen, even on some of the dark stuff like [Sylvia] Plath and stuff like that but, yeah, I wouldn’t want it to get too glum,” said Schmidt.
“I have enough tough moments trying to watch games that are too tight without making it even tougher.”
Some critics would refuse to call Schmidt’s coaching style poetic, but this Grand Slam success has shown that the head coach is increasingly drawing creative strokes from his team.
20 tries in their five Six Nations wins is the most Ireland have ever scored in a single championship, and the variety of their scores was striking.
Even against England, there was a balanced blend – Garry Ringrose’s score coming from kick pressure, CJ Stander’s second being a beautiful set-piece strike and the third involving clever play from Conor Murray and a superb individual contribution from Jacob Stockdale.
“Well, not everyone would agree but we certainly worked pretty hard to try to spice our play with a bit of variety and I think we’ve been rewarded with some super tries,” said Schmidt.
“Some of them have been on the back of really positive defence. Robbie Henshaw, unfortunately, getting that second try [against Italy], I’d rather we were one less try and one more man available but also Jacob Stockdale plucking those couple of intercepts against Wales and Scotland.
“So some of them have come from really proactive defence and others have come from some really nice play that’s been put together by the team.”
After helping Ireland to the Grand Slam, next on Schmidt’s agenda is an exciting tour to Australia in June and while this squad are going to be remembered as history-makers, the Ireland boss says he is excited to see just how good they can be.
His first Ireland team were back-to-back Six Nations champions in 2014 and 2015 but the transition is very much complete and now Schmidt has Grand Slam champions.
“It was a different generation of players, the quality of the Paul O’Connells, Brian O’Driscolls, the Gordon D’Arcys, it was that generation that was a little bit special,” said Schmidt.
“Now, to dovetail into a crossover of a newer generation is a little bit exciting and it’s a little bit daunting because where do they go next?
“But the one thing that you are guaranteed in sport is that nothing is linear and for a team to be a champion team one year, as England were two years ago with the Grand Slam, and last year they were championship winners, but they finished fifth this time, that’s a very big swing but it’s not actually a massive difference in margins because they are so fine.
“They lost by three points France and they lost momentum in Scotland.
“I’d just say I’m delighted with [the Grand Slam]. We are where we are and when they come back in two-and-a-half months’ time to get together, we will know where we need to go next.
“We’ll play in very different conditions in Australia. Australia will be hugely motivated to bounce back from what’s been a relatively tough time for them and get a really good start in preparation for their Rugby Championship.”
– First published 06.00, 19 March
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Apart from his excellence as a rugby coach, he oozes class as a man. Very dignified, modest and gracious in the way he stood out of the limelight to allow the players to bask in the glory of a the Grand Slam. Ireland are so lucky to have him.
@Sloop John G: I think that the humility in victory, shown by him and the team, suits the Irish mentality as well has his personality. To go with the brilliant rugby, the team are talking to the press in a way that would make any Irish mother proud.
@Sloop John G: in GAA he’d be criticised for not celebrating
@Alan Mulcahy: humility in victory suits the Irish mentality!! Are you having a laugh? Did you read some of the anti English shite posted on here Saturday after Ireland won.
@Jason Brosnahan: There are plenty of “know nothings” in every country, who let da majority down.
@The Guru: what a dumb comment….
Legend
@Andy: on and off the pitch !!
Time to replace the spire with a statue of Joe..
What a top man, pity some of the clowns managing soccer teams would’nt take a leaf out of his book. A class act, must do everything to keep him, because when the All Blacks come calling he is going to be torn. Hard to blame him if he did go, but he would be massive loss.Best coach in the world, can’t see anyone ahead of him.
@running man: yeh I’m thinking of conte for Chelsea last year, after winning prem he was running around tryna be centre of attention
@running man: I totally agree. The irfu should offer him everything and anything to stay but he has said be is going no matter what after the world cup. He has also said it’s not good for a coach to stay too long at any one team.
@Jon Byrne: Yes, that makes total sense. Also, the guy is a Kiwi and I’m sure he will want to go back home to New Zealand at some point. Maybe the IRFU should begin steps in selection his successor sooner rather than later.
@Sloop John G:
A lot of talk about Andy Farrell
@P.J. Nolan: Heaslip recently said that Lancaster is the closest thing he has had to Schmidt as a coach in terms of quality. I’d back him or someone from NZ to take up the reins.
As Mike Ford and Les Kiss have shown, taking the head coach job with a background in defence coaching isn’t always the best idea.
@EK:
Not denying Lancaster has done some good work lately but I wouldn’t rule out a defensive coach entirely, depends on the man. Given Joe’s success so far someone who has worked with him on a day to day basis could be an asset.
@Sloop John G: yeh agree, i think he will def go back to new zealand after world cup
@Fred McHugh: he’ll defo go after the WC. Hopefully with a semi or final or even…. Just hope that turncoat Erasmus can’t do much to improve SA before the 1/4 against ireland.
@Minom Pnnomm: yeh that is worry, NZ is always a possibility as well
@Fred McHugh: wouldn’t meet NZ until final afaik, assuming they beat SA.
@Minom Pnnomm: yeh I’m aware of it we lose to Scotland.. so it is a possibility
The contrast between Jones and Scmidt is remarkable. Class act
The first paragraph is quite something. Joe acts the same as Jim Gavin whenever he wins an all Ireland, calm, classy and lets the players take the praise. Yet Gavin gets slated for it in the media while joe gets lauded. Mind boggles
Hate to say it but he is not only world class and we are lucky to have him but he is exactly what the all blacks are all about. Success and humility. Unfortunately I would say that after 2019 he may be on his way to NZ
Saint joe perhaps. Think people should get over it. He’s probably a massive ego by retreating to the tunnel in some reverse psychology way.
@6ljJQRRU: Nonsense.
@6ljJQRRU: you know he came to Ireland 8 years ago and has won 2 European Cups and 3 Six Nations. He can have as big an ego as he wants.
@6ljJQRRU: Are your just a small, narrow minded, jealous individual, smelling of pi$$ and banging of BO.
I’ve met Joe Schmidt several time, so can comfortably comment on him being an extremely modest, giving individual, and brilliant coach. I’ve never met you, nor hope to do so, but can equally comment on you, as you have on him.
@6ljJQRRU: being the most successful coach this country has EVER seen he can either retreat down the tunnel or wave his giblets around while singing Sean South. He’s earned it!
Interesting how we the fans and the media talk about Joe and contrasting how the players talk about him. The ultra driven obviously love playing for him (except Zebo). They talk about him as what sounds to be a very demanding, cold and tough boss. Everyone knew fergie had the hairdryer reputation, same for Cody, curious as to how Saint Joe manages to keep that ultra friendly persona and his ruthless eye for details that keeps on winning.
No doubt Joe will go after the World Cup. But looking on the positive side,Joe can fully focus on giving it his best shot and our highly motivated team can aim at giving Joe the perfect send off. The fans can have a massive party and the Government can give us another public holiday called Joe Day. Let the dream begin.
Hats off the poetic teacher joe who is the ultimate teacher. Meas mor ar na múinteoirí and the coaches in schools who have seen the quality come to the fore
Superb coach. Up there with the best ever