As much as we don’t like to admit it, Joe Schmidt is wanted elsewhere.
The Ireland coach has always been highly regarded in the game, both as a leader and a tactically astute rugby mind who knows how to get his team pulling in the same direction.
Most importantly, Schmidt gets results and that is, after all, what everyone wants. At times during his five-year stint in charge of Ireland, the New Zealander has been accused, at times, of overseeing mechanical rugby, a practical brand that’s not always been so easy on the eye.
During Ireland’s Grand Slam triumph, there were no such charges as Schmidt discovered the perfect way in which to blend experience with the exuberance of youth to devastating results.
Inevitably, with the 52-year-old’s contract ending at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, there has been talk that he will view the end of that tournament as the perfect time to leave and, with his reputation having been dramatically bolstered over the past two months, he seems to be a strong candidate to take over the All Blacks.
Former coach shares great story about Joe Schmidt hitting the gym like a demonhttps://t.co/M2gwhQMD0M
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 20, 2018
As a Kiwi, you’d have to imagine it would be a dream job for Schmidt.
Coincidentally, current All Blacks boss Steve Hansen’s current contract expires at the end of the Rugby World Cup and New Zealand legend Conrad Smith believes Schmidt is very much in the running to replace him.
“Kiwis, we love to claim people from New Zealand, especially when they’re successful, so we’re well aware of him being a New Zealander,” said Smith.
“And it’s helped by the fact our previous coaches have worked overseas – Graham Henry, Steve Hansen. He (Schmidt) is well within the talks. He’s doing a great job with Ireland. He’s someone who could potentially come back and coach the All Blacks.
“All coaches have their attributes, but you get my point, he’s a very good technical understanding of the game, and can transfer that to players, which is a very big challenge. It’s all very well having the knowledge but he can get players to buy into what he sees and to understand his take on the game. That’s how you get good results.
While it’s uncomfortable for Ireland fans to hear that Schmidt is in the frame for the All Blacks job so soon after the Grand Slam, it was always certain to happen.
.@AllBlacks great Conrad Smith will hang up his boots at the end of the @top14rugby season
🇳🇿 94 Caps
🎯 26 Tries
🇮🇹 Test debut v @Federugby ‘04
🏆 2x RWC (2011/2015)
🦁 2005 @lionsofficial Series
🌪 126 @Hurricanesrugby Caps
👨🏻🎓 Qualified Lawyer
✅ Rugby Legend pic.twitter.com/oxmHxJmmyt— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) March 21, 2018
Smith will hang up his boots at the end of the season.The 36-year-old retired from international rugby in 2015 but has been with Top 14 club Pau.
Considered one of the All Blacks’ finest, he earned 94 caps and won the World Cup in 2011 and 2015. As the centre considers his own move into coaching, he admits he has been thoroughly impressed with Ireland, not just during the Six Nations, but over the course of the last four years.
“I think they are clearly the second best side in the world and will challenge for that top spot.
“I just think they’re a team that’s been playing well for a long period. They got exceptional results in the last couple of months, but in the last two or three years they’ve been playing well.
“For me, Ireland have been consistently good in the last three or four years. It will add real spice to the games in November and the World Cup. You should be really pleased and confident with the way they’re going.”
