Tag Archives: Joe Schmidt

Joe Schmidt’s legacy in Ireland was cemented a long time before he stepped down as Irish Rugby’s head coach in 2019. The New Zealander brought an unprecedented level of success to the nation and raised the standard for all coaches across all sports. However, there is one little pocket of Ireland that Joe Schmidt holds very close to his heart; …

You can say it was the end of New Zealand’s season, it was ‘only a friendly’, but regardless of the circumstances, there’s no denying that Ireland’s victory over the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016 was a significant and historic moment.  Less than a month after losing Irish rugby legend Anthony Foley, Joe Schmidt’s charges took to Soldier Field with …

It’s so far, so good for Andy Farrell in his burgeoning head coach career.  Two from two in the 2020 Six Nations and clear evidence of a change in Ireland’s gameplan has brought some cautious optimism that the team can evolve and banish the demons of yet another quarter-final exit at a World Cup. The Englishman has a clear philosophy …

Andy Farrell has hardly had time to get his feet under the table but still the question one everyone’s mind is what has changed since he took over from Joe Schmidt.  While on the pitch, the initial reaction was not much following Ireland’s 19-12 win over Scotland in the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations last weekend. Off the …

Rory Best has spoken of his frustration at how comments he made in the media about Joe Schmidt have been negatively portrayed.  After blazing a trail through the competition in 2018, Ireland stagnated in 2019 with their poor form culminating in a dismal showing at the Rugby World Cup in Japan. Following that and his subsequent retirement from Irish rugby, …

For Rory Best, Ireland’s premature exit from the 2019 Rugby World Cup was not the way he would have wanted to sign off on his decorated career.  With the rest of the squad, there is an opportunity to right some wrongs by getting back on track at provincial level in the white heat of European Cup rugby and, of course, …

Joe Schmidt’s autobiography, ‘Ordinary Joe’, is released today and it offers a number of unique insights into the mind of one the most influential coaches in Irish rugby.  Of course, many people who pick up the book will be looking to understand the former Ireland head coach’s thought process throughout the 2019 Rugby World Cup which saw his side knocked …

Warren Gatland believes that Ireland’s ego was one of the contributing factors to their downfall in 2019 which ultimately culminated in another quarter-final exit at the World Cup.  The former Wales head coach was speaking to Off The Ball during the promotion of his new autobiography, ‘Pride and Passion’. On Ireland’s disappointing World Cup, Gatland first offered the opinion that …

Joe Schmidt will release his autobiography ‘Ordinary Joe’ on November 21, his publisher Penguin Ireland confirmed today.  “I was hesitant about putting my memories and thoughts into words but was encouraged to do so by a number of people close to me,” Schmidt said. “I’m an accidental coach and feel incredibly lucky to have worked alongside great people and to …

Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has said that he is “blown away” by the number of offers to continue his coaching career since announcing his decision to step down.  In November of last year, the New Zealand native confirmed that he would step away from the role following the World Cup while he would also take a break from …

Joe Schmidt’s final game as Irish head coach ended in disappointment as his side suffered a disappointing 46-14 defeat to New Zealand in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Ireland were outclassed by an incredibly strong All Blacks side as they racked up seven tries in the victory to hand Schmidt‘s charges their seventh World Cup quarter-final defeat. As good as …

Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign is over following a demoralising 46-14 defeat to New Zealand in Tokyo. Joe Schmidt’s side were on the back foot from the off, as a clinical All Blacks side ran in two tries in the opening 20 minutes to leave Ireland with a huge uphill task. Ireland did get two tries of their own towards …

Following Ireland’s historic first win over New Zealand at Soldier Field in 2016, the All Blacks travelled to Dublin for the return Test a week later and it was a match that left a sour taste in a lot of mouths. New Zealand attempted to stamp their authority on the game but crossed the line on a number of occasions. …

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt believes New Zealand will be “well aware” of how his side play when the teams meet in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Saturday. Steve Hansen will be well accustomed to Ireland’s current style of play having faced off against Schmidt’s side on three occasions since 2016, losing twice, in Chicago in 2016 and last …

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 …