Schmidt can drive you mad - Sexton
The cancellation of Ireland’s grand slam homecoming celebrations was proof that Joe Schmidt’s seemingly omnipotent powers do have certain limits.
In nearly every other aspect during this year’s tournament, Schmidt has been the master of all he has surveyed. At times during his five-year tenure as Ireland head coach, he has been criticised for being too strict and structured. His attention to detail would be considered excessive by certain nuclear physicists. Ireland players openly admit they dread his Monday morning review sessions.
Call that dictatorial or just decisive, it means Schmidt’s squad perform with absolute clarity in their roles and conviction in their collective purpose. That in turn has yielded results: a first Grand Slam at Twickenham, a third championship title in five years to follow on from four titles in as many years as Leinster coach. There can be no debate that the 52-year-old New Zealander should be considered as the greatest coach in Irish history.
‘‘He keeps you on your toes,’’ Jonathan Sexton, the first fiveeighth who was celebrating his first triple crown, said.
‘‘How do I put this nicely? At times you are driven demented with him, but you know he is doing it for a reason – putting pressure on you in training, at meetings to make sure on Saturday every box is ticked. He is an incredible coach, his record speaks for itself.’’
Schmidt offered a rare glimpse factor in this decision.’’
Franks, who cut his Super Rugby teeth with the Crusaders, earned 47 test caps and was part of the All Blacks’ winning Rugby World Cup squads in 2011 and 2015.
He joined London Irish after the 2015 World Cup but the club were relegated from the English Premiership after his first season. They were promoted again after winning the Championship second tier but are bottom of this year’s Premiership and face demotion again. into those internal machinations on Sunday when he revealed that the incredible set-piece strike move that resulted in CJ Stander scoring Ireland’s second try was a replica of a move used only once preciously against England in 2015.
On that occasion, centre Robbie Henshaw was ankle-tapped. On Sunday, it worked perfectly and featured the most gorgeous pass a tighthead prop is every likely to produce from Tadhg Furlong.
Asked where he ranks this accomplishment, Schmidt did not compare it to previous Six Nations titles, but to where his coaching career began.
‘‘I suppose the first one was a Ranfurly Shield in New Zealand,’’ Schmidt said. ‘‘Growing up in New Zealand that’s really special. I think Bay of Plenty had been trying to win it for over 100 years.’’
Ireland have now strung together 12 consecutive wins and attention is already turning to the visit of New Zealand in November.