Schmidt quick to go on the attack

Joe Schmidt hasn’t wasted any time easing into his new role as All Blacks attack coach.

Promoted from independent selector last week, he’s ripped straight into his work with the type of authority and confidence you’d expect from someone who masterminded two Irish wins over the All Blacks (2016 and 2018).

Out of the ‘‘computer room’’ and back on the grass, Schmidt was prominent during the training window open to media in Christchurch yesterday.

He spent time with multiple groups, watching intently and offering advice as halfback Aaron Smith, hooker Codie Taylor and loose forward Akira Ioane went through a few drills.

‘‘From the 48 hours I’ve seen of Joe, he hasn’t eased his way back into training. He’s a confident coach, and he watches a lot of clips,’’ fullback Jordie Barrett said.

‘‘It’s only been 48 hours, but it’s been positive. It’s early doors, and I’ll be looking to pick his brain like the rest of the coaches and help prepare the best I can.’’

The All Blacks got a taste of Schmidt on the grass ahead of the first test against Ireland in July, when Covid-19 wiped out much of the team’s coaching group ahead of their season-opening win at Eden Park.

But his role was limited to selecting and providing head coach Ian Foster analysis of opposition teams thereafter, leaving Foster to take over the attack after Brad Mooar was fired in the aftermath of the historic 2-1 series loss to Ireland.

That’s despite Foster having long wanted Schmidt to have a hands-on coaching role.

He got his way last week, when Schmidt, who had previously not wanted to travel due to family reasons, agreed to get back on the grass, joining Foster’s new-look coaching team, that the New Zea

land Rugby board has backed through the 2023 World Cup.

‘‘We got a little bit of an insight into Joe and got to know him a wee bit that first week against the Irish, so to have him in camp fulltime is a real privilege. We’re excited to work with him,’’ captain Sam Cane said.

‘‘He’s already stamped his mark in a few areas, he will predominately be working with attack and attack structure. We’ve had a few sessions in the classroom with him already, and it’s good to have him on the field.’’

Schmidt, who worked with the Blues during Super Rugby Pacific this year, takes over an attack which hasn’t operated at a high level this season.

Minus a brief burst in the first test, it was clunky against the Irish, and players appeared lost for ideas during the 26-10 defeat to South Africa in Mbombela.

However, with pivot Richie Mo’unga running the cutter in Johannesburg in what was his first start of the year, significant strides were made en route to a 35-23 win in their last fixture.