Tag Archives: Joe Schmidt

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has kicked off the vocal battle between New Zealand and Ireland ahead of their highly-anticipated Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash on Saturday.  The sides meet in Toyko Stadium (KO 11:15 [UK & IRE] / 19:15 [local]) in the second of the day’s games following the meeting of England and Australia in Oita. Ireland have an …

Joe Schmidt sympathised with Bundee Aki as the Ireland centre faces the prospect of his World Cup being over because of the red card he picked up in Ireland’s 47-5 win over Samoa.  Ireland’s seven-try performance saw them clinch a quarter-final spot against either New Zealand or South Africa but Aki faces a nervous wait to see if he will …

Joe Schmidt claims it is “business as usual” for Ireland as they prepare for their final Pool A game with Samoa despite the disruptions due to Typhoon Hagibis. It was feared that Ireland’s match would be cancelled due to the typhoon, however, it is set to go ahead while England versus France and New Zealand versus Italy have both been …

There can be no disputing that the pressure is mounting on this Ireland squad ahead of their final Pool A game with Samoa next weekend. Ireland’s all-conquering 2018 followed by a topsy turvy 2019 ensured that pressure was on Joe Schmidt’s side before the World Cup had even begun. Jacob Stockdale burst onto the scene during Ireland’s most successful ever …

In the wake of an uninspiring performance against Russia as Ireland claimed a 35-0 bonus-point win, Simon Zebo has revealed his frustrations with Ireland’s conservative attacking approach and also offered an insight into how head coach Joe Schmidt deals with players in the wake of a disappointing performance or loss.  Zebo, who was speaking as a Paddy Power Rugby Ambassador, …

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has provided an injury update after their 35-0 bonus-point victory over Russia. There were a number of injury concerns coming out of today’s win, most notably Jordi Murphy who left the fray with a rib injury after just 27 minutes. Murphy was a late call-up to the Ireland squad due to Jack Conan’s withdrawal and …

Joe Schmidt has revealed that Ireland received confirmation from World Rugby surrounding three key errors made by referee Angus Gardner in Saturday’s shock defeat to Japan. However, Schmidt was also quick to praise the Japanese performance and reiterate that they deserved their win. “I think I mentioned earlier that we certainly learned that we’re capable. In that first 20 minutes, …

Joe Schmidt has made 11 changes for Ireland’s crunch World Cup clash with Russia on Thursday. Jordi Murphy comes straight into the back-row at number eight alongside Rhys Ruddock and Peter O’Mahony who makes his third start in 12 days. Tadhg Beirne and Jean Kleyn are set to start their first World Cup matches when they take their place in …

February 2019: Ireland 20 – 32 England March 2019: Wales 25-17 Ireland August 2019: England 57-15 Ireland September 2019: Japan 19-12 Ireland England at home, Wales away, England away. And now Japan. It’s not a full-on catastrophe just yet, but if we have any prospects of winning this World Cup, issues need to be addressed. In a year where Ireland …

Sean McMahon reporting from Shizuoka.  For as long as Joe Schmidt has been the head coach of Ireland, this has been a side which has placed discipline at the very top of the list of prerequisites for any performance.  In the build-up to Ireland’s 19-12 loss to Japan at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on Saturday evening, the role of Australian …

Sean McMahon reporting from Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa.  Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt cut a downcast figure when he spoke to the media in the aftermath of his side’s 19-12 loss to Japan.  Ireland, after the opening 25 minutes of this game, were shambolic and they completely lacked the control and penetration which was evident in the opening quarter of the …

Sean McMahon reporting from Hamamatsu.  The Japanese press conferences this week have been a breath of fresh air.  The players and coaches have made no secret about the fact that they know they can beat Ireland this weekend. From straight to the point statements such as “we are confident that we can beat them” and “we’ll attack that” or the …

Shortly before Ireland’s opening World Cup win on Sunday, Jerry Flannery proclaimed that the nation has never been better prepared to perform at a World Cup. Having taken on all comers and won at some point over the last two years it’s fair to say this is the best Irish side to ever compete in rugby’s showpiece event. Despite the …

Sean McMahon reporting from Yokohama.  With 27 minutes on the clock, Ireland were 19-3 up in their toughest pool match of the World Cup, against opposition which have troubled them in the past and amid a backdrop which has questioned this squad’s mentality and ability on the field.  To be so on top so early on in this game was …

Sean McMahon reporting from Yokohama.  Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has provided an injury update in the aftermath of his side’s 27-3 victory over Scotland in Pool A of the Rugby World Cup.  The game was played at a ferocious pace and both Peter O’Mahony and Bundee Aki were removed in the first half as they picked up head knocks. …

Sean McMahon reporting from Yokohama.  Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has said that the main reason for the omission of Keith Earls and Rob Kearney from Sunday’s matchday 23 for Scotland was due to a lack of time in building continuity.  Earls and Kearney have not been able to train fully this week as they recover from respective knee and …

Sean McMahon reporting from Yokohama.  Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has announced his Ireland team to take on Scotland at the International Stadium Yokohama on Sunday.  As expected, Rob Kearney and Keith Earls have not been selected due to the injuries which they are carrying and this sees Jordan Larmour take up a spot at fullback while Andrew Conway starts …

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen has urged Devin Toner “to get back on the horse” following his disappointing omission from Ireland’s World Cup squad earlier this month.  Toner was expected to be named as part of Joe Schmidt’s 31-man panel but there was widespread surprise when the Leinster stalwart was left at home with Munster’s Jean Kleyn named instead. Ross …