About Schmidt . . .
FORMER schoolteacher Joe Schmidt is Ireland’s much decorated head coach.
Since taking over in 2013, the Kiwi has transformed them into a combative and tactically savvy side that has had success against all the top nations except New Zealand. They did, however, run the All Blacks close in his third game in charge.
Schmidt’s career started when he coached New Zealand Schools before taking the reins at Bay of Plenty.
The 50-year-old was assistant coach at the Blues between 2004 and 2007.
Schmidt settled at Clermont Auvergne where he was the backline coach under Vern Cotter between 2007 and 2010 when the club broke their duck by winning the coveted Bouclier de Brennus Top 14 title. They had had 11 appearances in the final.
He had big boots to fill when he replaced Michael Cheika at Leinster for the 2010-11 season. He hit the deck running as Leinster lifted the Heineken Cup for the second time.
Leinster successfully defended that title before Schmidt left the job with a bang in 2013 when they claimed the Pro12, Amlin Challenge Cup and the British and Irish Cup titles.
He took over from Declan Kidney as Ireland’s coach in 2013 and won the Six Nations at his first attempt.
At the end of 2014, Ireland beat South Africa, Georgia and Australia and went on a hot streak which saw them equal their own record of 10 wins in a row. They surged to third in the world rankings.
Although that winning sequence was broken at the Millennium Stadium, Ireland won a second consecutive Six Nations crown.
Ireland went to last year’s Rugby World Cup chests bulging. But they again fell in the quarterfinals, to Argentina.
With a 70% winning record with Ireland, Schmidt has been offered a contract extension. But he is yet to sign. He may have bigger fish to fry as he is in the running to coach the British and Irish Lions on tour next year to New Zealand.