JOE SCHMIDT WILL return to coaching after agreeing to join the Blues as a support coach ahead of the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season.
The former Ireland boss has been working as World Rugby’s director of rugby and high performance since October 2020 but recently confirmed he will leave that role at the end of this year in order to spend more time with his family.
Schmidt has now been announced as a support coach for the Blues on a part-time basis ahead of their 2022 campaign.
The 56-year-old has been mentoring Blues head coach Leon McDonald over the past year and will now formally link with the Auckland-based franchise as part of their coaching team following the departure of Tana Umaga.
It marks a return to the Blues for Schmidt, who was previously an assistant coach for the franchise from 2004 until 2007 when he moved to Clermont in France.
Schmidt subsequently enjoyed great success with Leinster and Ireland, helping the former to two Heineken Cups and winning a Grand Slam and two further Six Nations titles with the latter.
His Ireland tenure ended in disappointment at the 2019 World Cup, with Schmidt announcing that he was retiring from coaching after that campaign.
However, he is now set to return with the Blues, who have also confirmed the addition of former Boyne RFC coach Craig McGrath as their new defence specialist.
“I’m really looking forward to coming back and helping out the coaching staff at the Blues,” said Schmidt.
“I know pretty much the whole crew and it’s a nice fit stepping in for Tana, who I greatly respect.
“I have really enjoyed getting to know Leon. He is doing a great job and has got the team in a really good place after their success this year. I’ve also got a lot of time for Ice [McGrath] and look forward to linking up with him again.”
Take the field. Look over the heads of your opposition. Focus on the uprights, this is your goal. Breathe. Rember you are not representing Ireland, for 80 minutes you are Ireland. Breathe. 80 minutes may seem long when you are camped on your 22, and defending you line. It is not. Time is short. Live every minute as if it is your last time in a green shirt, sooner than you expect it will be. Breathe. Look beyond the opposition who stand between you and your goal. Move forward, always forward and remember today for a short 80 minutes, you are Ireland.
So … Don’t forget to breathe !!!
Andrew, thats excellent.
Craig, sounds like you have never played rugby
Doloris, what a petty comment to make on the eve of the world cup. Petty provincial rivalry right now is pathetic. BOD is our best player.
I am a munster man (living in Dublin) by the way
Anybody with a double name is a tit.
good luck to our gang in the land of the long white cloud,its time to stand up and fight.
A lot done, more to do…
Best of luck men! This is the start of a journey!!
best of luck we are hoping for good game plenty tries no ingeries moss connell
Ronan don’t forget the last 15 mins
Go on boys do the bizz. I have great trust in the munster lads —— let BOD in the dug out!!!!
Good woman! Leave sexton longside him too!
Think sticky hands, fast feet, and cricket scores.. Come on lads give us a great start.. Good luck to you all..
Do your best, and remember it’s the taking part that counts! :-\
in it too win it mr dirt , why else bother ?
Sexton will choke again and miss a shed load of kicks.
Prophetic. Do the lotto man with foresight like that!
Your on the ball lad. Bet the young lad in that O2 ad wouldn’t waste his first pick on him after that!!!
Good luck, give it all you’ve got and there will be no regrets.
Walk into them!
What a great game keep it up boys x