JOE SCHMIDT SAYS that he’s been “blown away” by some of the approaches he’s received to continue his coaching career since announcing that he would step down as Ireland head coach.
Last November, Schmidt confirmed that he would end his six-and-a-half-year reign as Ireland head coach following the World Cup in Japan, and speaking shortly after arriving back in Dublin airport on Tuesday night, he admitted that there has no been shortage of options to continue coaching.
Schmidt’s time with Ireland ended on a sour note following Saturday’s 46-14 World Cup quarter-final exit to New Zealand, and while the former Leinster boss reiterated his intention to step away for the game for the immediate future, he left the door open to a return in 2020.
“I’m sure my wife is thinking what else is he going to do as well,” Schmidt said, when asked about his plans going forward.
“I know I’m not going to do it [coaching] in the near future. I’ve been blown away by some of the approaches and incredibly humbled by them. I made a commitment that I’m going to absolutely stick to, through to at least June or July of next year.
As a family, we’ll sort of step back and decide what people want to do and how we’ll go about things. Because it hasn’t been a job, it has been a way of life. It has been seven days a week and I think I can honestly say, in six-and-a-half years, I’ve not taken one, full day off. There’s not one day where I don’t think I’ve not either been scribbling notes, or watching footage, or getting to a game, or doing some coaching, going into a club and doing something. I’ve loved it.”
Looking back at a hugely disappointing World Cup campaign, where Ireland lost to Japan in the pool stages, before Saturday’s horror show against the All Blacks, Schmidt repeated his post-match comments about his frustration with New Zealand’s extended break before the game — their final pool game against Italy was cancelled as a result of Typhoon Hagibis — but added that he also holds regrets about the way Ireland handled 2019 in general.
On the back of a milestone defeat of New Zealand in Dublin last November, Ireland failed to rediscover the form that saw them enjoy a wonderful 2018, struggling through a Six Nations campaign, which included heavy defeats to both England and Wales.
After a promising win against a poor Scotland team on the opening weekend of the World Cup, Ireland returned to the sort of lethargic, error-ridden performances that had caused so much concern earlier in the year.
“I do think that we didn’t quite have the same rhythm that the All Blacks had and their coaching staff thought it was the same, and some of their players,” Schmidt said.
“If you can retain that really positive rhythm going into matches, I do think that it makes a difference. We changed that during the Six Nations; we changed it because we wanted to be really good in the World Cup and probably would have been better off staying with our week-to-week focus to live in the moment and play the tournament we were in.
“If I had my time over I would probably change that. But my time is finished. They will be great learnings that the team and the squad and the current coaching staff will take forward.”
With Schmidt now departing his role, the onus falls on Andy Farrell to pick up a broken group of players that will be scarred by their memories of Japan.
While the majority of those players will get an opportunity to hop back on the horse over the coming weeks with their provinces ahead of the 2020 Six Nations — which is just 14 weeks away — Schmidt admitted that he isn’t sure how he’ll deal with his newfound freedom, adding that this World Cup exit will be much harder to stomach than the 2015 quarter-defeat to Argentina.
“Yeah, because it’s what you finished on. And so it is more difficult, because I’ve finished as a rugby coach and it’s hard to step away with that as your last involvement, but at the same time, I can only work as hard as I can work.
I’ve worked with incredibly good people, the staff and the playing staff. I do think, as well as that, I know these players and I’m going to really enjoy watching them continue to progress and I think Andy and the team, they’re still going to be doing a super job. So I’m really looking forward to the Six Nations. Instead of looking through the glass, I might just have one in my hand, and I’m looking forward to that.”
Of course, while the Schmidt era has ended in familiarly disappointing fashion, the 54-year-old brought huge success during his time in the job, including three Six Nations titles and a Grand Slam, along with those landmark wins against New Zealand.
While it wasn’t quite the homecoming the Ireland squad had hoped for, there was a healthy crowd of well-wishers waiting for them as they arrived into Dublin Airport. All of the players were happy to stop and sign autographs or pose for photographs, but there was no-one in the travelling party more in demand than Schmidt, who took time to speak to supporters in between his final, brief, interview as Ireland head coach.
“Some of the high points are probably some of the messages I’ve received in the last 48 hours just from ex-players, or people who’ve said there was a real impact during the six-and-a-half years,” he added.
I know the trophies are the visible things, the wins are the visible things. But, you want to try to help people get better, not just players improve. I think that I worked as hard as I could to do that.
“It doesn’t always work out in those two 40-minute periods, those two incredibly brutal, but incredibly enjoyable periods where we’ve had those trophies fall our way. And to end as we did is really disappointing.
“Obviously, talking about that Grand Slam [2018] is special. That first-half in Twickenham, that was as good as we got, probably.
“Together with Chicago in 2016 [beating New Zealand for the first time], we played a team that had went six out of six in the Rugby Championship, amassed 35 tries, just conceded five across those games against the best the southern hemisphere had.
“We got five all by our lonesome in a super game which was an expression of what we were capable of doing.
There’s been some special days with the crowd. I would say one of my best memories is France at the last World Cup [2015]. The Irish crowd that were in the stadium that day were absolutely phenomenal. I know the next week [against Argentina] didn’t go well for us with the carnage that happened in that game, but it was an incredibly proud moment to watch the players acknowledge the crowd.
“And the support that we had, it’s only just last November, not even a year ago, that we had the reverse result against New Zealand, not with the same margin, but I felt we really deserved to win that day and the crowd, the crowd was phenomenal.
“So I’ll take away some really special memories, but they’re a little bit hard to dig out at the moment, because they’re clouded by the disappointment of, you know, Saturday evening.”
Unfortunately for Schmidt, Saturday evening is likely to linger over what was otherwise a glittering period for Irish rugby for some time.
Eoin Toolan and Murray Kinsella dial up Gavan Casey on the therapy couch to provide the post-mortem to Ireland’s World Cup implosion at the hands of New Zealand
Good luck and thanks joe
Thanks for the good times Joe. We had many.
Enjoy your time with your family,
you deserve it.
He’ll go back to rugby that’s for sure . He could make a decent substitute for Nucifora as High Performance Director for the IRFU . It’d give him better family time and we won’t have to see him against us ..
@Limón Madrugada: why is Nucifora leaving?
@John Thomas: his contract is up in 2021 I believe
@Limón Madrugada: he could take the real madrid job….
@Hanzee: I’ve no doubt he’d make a better fist of it than Lopetegui . But he’d sleep even less and the attention from the ladies would surely turn his head and he’s a family man.
@Limón Madrugada: Zidane
@John Jones: is that code for something . I’m well aware that Zidane is the coach of Real Madrid , it was Lopetegui who got fired …
@Limón Madrugada: Lapotegui is only two points behind though
@Dave O Keeffe: 2 points a la Liga trophy and 3CLs behind
@Limón Madrugada: ah yeah but Zidane never won the u19 and u21 euros. Be pretty amazing if Lapotegui won the league or the CL three times in a few months.
@Dave O Keeffe: it’d be even more amazing if there was a coach called Lapotegui …
There is always a Job for the Best and you are the Best You have taken Ireland to the Top
Thank you and Good Luck in the Future
@pat seery: How has he ‘taken Ireland to the top’? Do you not remember that Ireland got hammered in the quarter final of the RWC again only 3 days ago?
@mar: they were literally number one in the world coming into the tournament
@Andrew Doyle: for 1 week
@bmul: yes the top, as stated
@bmul: Agustin Pichot, Vice-chairman of World Rugby had the following to say about Ireland being ranked No. 1:
“It’s ridiculous! I’m going to change it,” “It is all mathematical and I would say that it is almost a matter of marketing.” (quotes taken from an article in the Irish Independent).
The Vodafone Ireland #teamofus in the RWC was a marketing scam. The bubble burst quickly but some still seem to #believe.
@mar: I’d say you fall into the bracket of people that likes to see others fail
@John Jones: I’d say you quickly jump to conclusions about people.
@mar: Nobody listens to Augstin Pichot. He’s a dope.
@mar: Grow up mate
@Patrick N O Leary: If you still think Joe brought Ireland to the top and that the No. 1 ranking in any way reflected reality then no doubt it’s you who needs to grow up.
@Andrew Doyle: all that says is the ratings are a joke
@mar:
You are a assho@# with an childish mind: We got beaten by the real No. 1 in the world :: Joe never accepted that flash position as most of us real Rugby Fans did not either :: What Joe brought was a very high position in World Rugby, one we never got near before :: I have been following it since the 60s and Joe got us in a place I had never seen. In 2018 we were the closest at 1, 2, 3 which ever you want but we had beaten ALL the top teams in the World (N Z 2 times ) We got beaten by the real No 1 in the world 3 days ago and no body with any sense though different :: BUT YOU DID :: that says a lot about you and your knowledge of Rugby::
I will say it again you are a childish ASS@# with a nasty agenda against out game ::PISS OFF IMO IMO
@Martin Quinn: you are some dose
Thanks Joe. You are a legend. Enjoy the time with your Family. The team has excelled under your Management. It’s been an incredible ride
@Jason: they have not.
Remember the game at soldier field? The pit of sheer excitement and disbelief in your stomach at witnessing that spectacle, Ireland, like monsters, doninating the ‘All Blacks’, the physicality, perfect skills, and fully determined, making history from the off. Unbelievable! One of those events you remember with crystal clarity. Only one of many! There was no show like the Joe Show
@Daimhín De Naois: Got stuffed when it mattered though
@will: call over Will. I’ll piss in your chips for you. Save you the bother
@will: every game matters to the All Blacks. That’s what makes them so damn good!
@will: yes they did but let’s not forget the mighty NZ were the best in the world from 1990 to 2006 and still kept losing in QFs and SFs including great legends of NZ rugby. Failure is not the ultimate definition , nor is success . You would have learnt that doing your grinds at Leeson St.
@Daimhín De Naois: you also remember not so long ago, the mighty Aussies, well beaten by England, trouncing the All Blacks. Hyperbole of the highest degree.
@Daimhín De Naois: Rugby doesn’t really float my boat but I cannot for the life of me understand why “fans” put so much value in these Test/Challenge games ? Surely winning last weekend or the previous other Q/F collapses is the only measurement of achievement on a world stage ??? I’m a long suffering Galway hurling fan, I’ve seen enough failure and thankfully some success to know the difference…
@Groundhurling: In any sport it’s up to those participating, and to a certain extent those spectating, how important any game is. Rugby has a long tradition of competitive test matches. Before 1987 there was no world cup and only the 4/5 nations and test matches. Obviously the arrival of the world cup pushed test matches down a rung in terms of importance but there’s no reason for them to suddenly become meaningless. I doubt anyone disputes that winning a Q/F trumps winning an Autumn test. Is it because friendlies in soccer and challenge matches in GAA are meaningless that people can’t get their heads around rugby tests carrying some value?
@Daimhín De Naois: what year was that again?
@Groundhurling:
Stick to the GAA then :: and you got an A I only a few years ago so why compline ::there are teams who have not won in years :: and don’t tell us how we are feeling
Brilliant coach , the best we have ever had. Sport is cruel . You can be brilliant for years and then just for whatever reason don’t perform for a short period and all your hard work can seem to be undone in a few minutes .
He has given us some great days and was a gentleman to boot .
Best wishes to Joe and his family
Thanks Joe. You are a legend. Enjoy the time with your Family. The team has excelled under your Management. It’s been an incredible ride
@Jason: we’re a GAA country, punching above our weight in rugby. 2200 GAA clubs vs 200 rugby clubs. We can’t compete against Southern hemisphere in matches that really count bar glorified money spinning friendlies.
@Peadar: all the more of an achievement to go to Number 1 in the world with such a low amount of rugby clubs. Think you need to elevate your viewpoint, if only for yourself Peadar
@Peadar: New Zealand have 141 thousand registered players. We have 95 thousand. We’re not battling overwhelming odds here, yet we have only ever won 2 matches against them (both under Schmidt). South Africa and England Both have far greater playing numbers than the all blacks and throughout history have mostly been inferior to them. Money, resources and playing numbers will only get you so far. Ireland are aswell resourced as is possible, rugby receives greater coverage and promotion than any other sport in this country despite it not being the most popular (but is loved by the ruling class and that’s what matters really isn’t it…) and we’ve never been beyond the last 8 of a World Cup.
In the last three world cups before this one we’ve gone out to Argentina twice and wales once. Both countries of similar player numbers and we were hammered on each occasion just like we were last weekend.
We went to world number one a few weeks after England put nearly 60 points on us! That ranking system is a sham.
We just aren’t good enough and never have been when it matters. Simple as.
@John drennan: Ruling class? Ffs.
@Cian: IRFU states there are 194,300 registered rugby players in ireland.
NZRU states 156,000 registered players
@Walter Obrien:
I stopped reading John drennan post when that came up ::”the ruling class”
He is an assh@#@ and I told you before you should know something about Rugby before you comment and here again you are doing it.
Regarding N Z :: I have been there and those numbers mean nothing :: When a N Z baby (male and Female ) is born, it comes out of with a “Baby birth Ball” in the position for passing. All they want to do is play for N Z :: we face the GAA (Hurling and Football):: Soccer and forth comes Rugby :: and our baby’s just have the love of their parents to get them through:: you can use figures anyway you want but it is what is in the sole and in NZ it is Rugby
It is sad to read an Irish Poster agreeing with some other Country troll:: you should be ashamed
Your a legend. Thank you
Thank you Joe for all of the good times good luck and enjoy the time off.
Yup
I don’t think we would have had Chicago without Joe
Honestly, one of the best weekends ever
Too loyal to the older crew joe
@Tony Mcgrath: on the balance of performances that’s too harsh, has been and will be the best return from a coach we are likely to have for years.
Joe Schmidt should be convinced to stay involved with the Ireland rugby team in some capacity. We will need him.
@J. Reid: I agree. I’d say he’d jump at a chance to right the last few weeks. I’d love him to take a special role with academy players or send project teenagers to him in NZ. No better man to take a break and analyse his errors and adapt. He learnt more than IRFU did.
Joe, you’re the best we’ve ever had! You owe us nothing, we will forever be in your debt. Good luck and every happiness to you and your family.
Think we were spoilt for the past 6 years. Anyone here saying otherwise will be regretting it. 6 nations time we will be lucky to get past Italy/Scotland Our card is marked. Thanks Joe, you will be sorely missed, pity it didn’t work out to go out on a deserved high.
A highly talented coach and a gentleman to boot. Thanks Joe, good memories, best of luck for the future. Irish Rugby is in a better realm thanks to your hard work and commitment.
Thanks for the good times joe, But let’s call a spade a spade, 2019 has been a disaster and theirs no getting away from it, the 2015 quarter final defeat vs Argentina was the one that got away.
@Alan Brazil: what has that got to do with this article? Are you just going to crawl into every article to bang the same drum? We know 2019 was a dissapointment, we all saw that for ourselves. Nonetheless, he’s the best and most successful coach we’ve ever had and its no surprise he’s had offers… Which, I must remind you, is what this article is about.
@Brendan Heery: Good for him, no f
@Alan Brazil: finished with Irish international rugby now until the 2021 six nations
@Alan Brazil: A true Irish rugby fan, ill be looking out for you.
@Alan Brazil:
You were always finished with Ireland :: all your posts were anti Ireland ::dont give us this chrap of 2021 :go off and don’t come back ::OK ::OK
France hoping to get him.
@Brian Farrell: there’s a job opening in Australia at the moment. Although I’d love to see him take a Pacific island team like Fiji and turn them into a tier 1 nation.
Thanks for the memories Joe enjoy your time with family
Thanks for the incredible entertainment & pride Joe, you’ve worked so hard & I have enjoyed every minute of your tenure
Thanks for the memories Joe and may an incredibly lucrative offer fall in your lap in due course. You deserve no less.
A Great Coach But above all a real gentleman.
About to take off for Tokyo. Had high hopes like Joe and the team but such is life. 2018 and previous years were incredible and for sure we enjoyed every moment of the games and celebrations.
Wishing him the very best for his year ahead and wishing the team rest and regrouping.
Meanwhile there are some great games to enjoy for the next two weekends.
In terms of 6 Nations and one off tests his era was a resounding success. However in terms of World Cups it was a resounding failure.
@Patrick Jackman: the same could have been said about Graham Henry and Steve Hansen up to 2011 … without so much success at 6N but obviously plenty at Tri Nations .. and they got slaughtered back home for it , as did John Mitchell etc ..
No
When it’s done, it’s done
I’d love to see him step down a few levels, relax and rediscover his more relaxed side.
@Eddie Hekenui: he’ll never be stuck , he’d be the perfect guy for WR to parachute into the Tier 2 qualifiers in the 12 months prior to a RWC . Daniel Hourcade was assistant coach to Portugal in 2007 all covered by WR .
@Limón Madrugada: He’ll definitely have a job sooner rather than later. World Rugby pay for the coaches of a lot of the Tier 2 teams but I can’t see Schmidt going that way yet. Maybe down the line but he’d be far too in demand now. He’s also spoken about going home and having more time with family so I think he’ll end up in the Mitre 10 or Super Rugby in the next 18 months. I’d like to see him help out in a school in NZ for the next few months though. It’d be a great way to recuperate.
@Eddie Hekenui: Blackrock college has dibs on him in Ireland :-) .He would be an awesome addition to Spanish rugby that’s for sure .
Thanks for everything you gave Irish rugby Joe at Leinster and Ireland. You took it on to another level entirely. A sad end no doubt and maybe 2018 was the peak when we won everything. Irelands demise this year struck me as a bit similar to Fergie somehow winning league in his last year at ManU with a fairly ordinary squad then they fell off a cliff after that. How could same players perform so differently in a year. One thing that stands out for me in relation to how good Joe is how players speak of him. Almost uniformly positive and that he was best coach they ever worked with and he improved them as players. Even older guys nearing end of their careers like POC, shaggy and Best. I look forward to hearing stories behind the scenes in future biography. Enjoy the break Joe.