Joe Schmidt was asked, not long after Ireland’s 27-24 victory over Australia, if this was his best as coach.
This is a man that has won a Top 14, two Heineken Cups, a Six Nations championship in Paris, a win over the Springboks in Cape Town and over New Zealand in Chicago.
And he had to think about it. Why? Because it was a valid question.
“It certainly, for me, would be one of the proudest days that… I’ve [only] been on the periphery of the team that have shown immense character.”
There was no argument about the character shown by an Ireland team that was in tatters coming into the match and who lost three more men by half-time.
New faces stepped up – Garry Ringrose, Tadhg Furlong, Ultan Dillane, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Josh van der Flier. Schmidt name-checked them all. It was Simon Zebo’s post-match gag to the coach that really highlighted how far Ireland have come in the past 12 months. Schmidt said:
“I think Simon Zebo said it was the creche out here. He was the old guy looking after the kids running around. I think it’s probably reflective of his much control he has as a dad because the kids were all over the place!
“Kieran Marmion on the wing,” Schmidt continued before pausing for effect. “His impact tackle on David Pocock to dislodge the ball forward was phenomenal.
“I thought Joey Carbery did a great job,” he added. “Garry Ringrose again stepped up. And it wasn’t perfect but you probably can’t expect perfection when those young guys step up or attempt to.”
Schmidt, though, did not forget the contribution of the pack nor the subs. Their indefatigable performances wouldn’t let him. He said:
“I think we managed to get the edge because the boys up front did a great job. I thought the front-row, obviously Besty playing his 100th cap, it’s incredibly special for him but I think it was probably made more special by the occasion.
“Tadhg Furlong continues to grow into the position. Jack McGrath was again really strong. I thought the front-row that came off the bench were good again.
“Pete O’Mahony, it was great to see him out there. You lose a player short of the game, like Sean O’Brien and his replacement gets man of the match. It’s exactly what you’re looking for int he squad. Someone who can step up and Josh van der Flier continues to do it.”
He could have gone on all night if we let him.
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
