PARIS (AP) — The most talked about man in the impending Rugby World Cup quarterfinal between Ireland and New Zealand in Paris on Saturday has also said the least.
Before Joe Schmidt joined the All Blacks staff, he was the most decorated coach in Irish rugby history.
He transferred his trophy-winning ideas from Leinster to Ireland in 2013 and enjoyed unprecedented success, including historic wins against New Zealand in Chicago and Dublin.
The New Zealander who added Irish citizenship went home and delayed wanting to become an All Blacks selector until after Ireland’s tour in July last year. But COVID-19 struck down staff and Schmidt coached the All Blacks for the first test that they won 42-19 at Eden Park. Schmidt stepped aside when the coaches returned and Ireland won the last two tests.
Since then, Schmidt has been trying to help the All Blacks undo the damage he wrought from when he was the Ireland coach. His former assistant Andy Farrell took over Ireland after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and has elevated the team’s standards and masterminded a 17-test winning streak.
Mick Kearney has been the Ireland manager for Schmidt and Farrell and this week he was asked how much of Schmidt’s influence still prevailed.
“A lot, to be honest with you,” Kearney said. He credited forwards coach Paul O’Connell, who captained under Schmidt, for relaying ideas he learned from the Kiwi. “There has been a lot of what Joe did in his period of time that we still use,” Kearney added.
But he said Ireland plays differently than it did under Schmidt, more of a 15-man game with ball in hand.
The All Blacks have raved about the detailed analysis and insight Schmidt has given them but the man himself hasn’t fronted up to the media at the Rugby World Cup.
“Joe’s been awesome since he joined us last year,” All Blacks coach Ian Foster said. “It hasn’t been heavily loaded towards his insight into Irish rugby.
“In a funny old way, when you get into the playoffs, it’s actually become more and more about us than probably what you think. And I am sure Ireland’s the same. They’ve got a lot of belief in their game, we’ve got a lot belief in ours.
“I am sure there will be some mixed emotions for Joe. He’s very passionate, he loved his time in Ireland and it was a very special time for him. But he’s loving his time in this team, too, and we’re enjoying having him.”
Many of Jonathan Sexton’s honors were achieved under Schmidt, whose “massive legacy” for Irish rugby was praised by the retiring Ireland captain.
“Joe’s done a great job over the last 12 months, (the All Blacks have) made big strides,” Sexton said. “Joe knows us well, we know him well, but Joe doesn’t get to make any tackles or run any lines at the weekend.”
IRELAND vs. NEW ZEALAND (New Zealand leads 30-1-5 overall, leads 2-0 in RWC)
The Irish went 111 years without beating the All Blacks. But since 2016, no team has more than their five wins against New Zealand.
Ireland’s 27 tries and 190 points from four pool wins are its most ever in a Rugby World Cup and extended its winning streak to 17 tests across 15 months. One more win ties the tier one world record.
“Our togetherness is huge,” assistant coach Mike Catt said. “The boys have been incredible; where they’ve come from, where we’ve got to, how we’ve learnt as a group of coaches as well. We are massively proud of it.
“It doesn’t mean you’re going to win a game but we know if we put in a performance (like) what we’ve achieved over the past two, three years then you give yourself a chance. It’s been a brilliant journey, it’s been an amazing journey.”
The All Blacks’ journey has been amazing for its inconsistency and accumulation of unwanted firsts. They lost 10 tests before coming to France, the most in any of their Rugby World Cup cycles.
Then after losing their opening pool game to France, which sent them on a collision course with Ireland, the All Blacks have dieted on Italy, Uruguay and Namibia, scoring 240 points. But Foster was adamant they were ready to meet their new bogey team in a Stade de France that will look and sound like Dublin.
“The only way to go into these games,” Foster said, “is believing in your game and who you are, and we do.”
WALES vs. ARGENTINA (Wales leads 14-1-6 overall, 2-0 in RWC)
This is the first time Wales and Argentina meet in a knockout match. It’s also their very first matchup on neutral soil.
Both previous World Cup matches in the 1990s were tight affairs in Cardiff. Another close one is tipped on Saturday in Marseille.
Wales winning Pool C has made it the slight favorite against Argentina, which crawled out of Pool D after an opening defeat to England.
Both teams are looking to defy the pre-tournament odds and reach the semifinals: Argentina for a third time, and Wales for a third time under Warren Gatland.
Wales came to France with only two wins in eight tests this year. Argentina had five tests and won two, one of them a stroll against Spain.
George North is set to become the first Welshman to play in four Rugby World Cup quarterfinals. He was 19 at the 2011 World Cup and, at 31, hasn’t given up on having a go for Australia in 2027.
“George has done exceptionally well moving from wing to center,” Gatland said. “We moved him because he is a lot slower now … just joking. He’s one of the leaders within the group and he is a big contributor.”
North said maturity has allowed him to understand the game more. He has two tries, four line breaks, and crossed the gainline from 95% of his carries, 10 percentage points better than anyone else with 20-plus carries.
“I’ve possibly got a slightly better haircut than I did back in 2011,” he said.
“I’m loving the fact we are here, and we are fighting. We’ve been in some big games here before so I don’t think we change anything. Do your job, do what you do well and bring it to the game.”
___
AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
