Schmidt confirmed as new Irish coach and the villagers rejoiced (except trouttrout)

JRant

Swiwi wrote: »

Unfortunately, I rather suspect there would be more focus on lashing the ABs for losing, rather than congratulating Ireland on their victory. The AB public tend to be relatively poor losers. In saying that, it would depend on the manner of victory. If NZ were poor, and Ireland were only a little less poor, the above would apply, but say NZ were great, and Ireland even greater, then the plaudits might well flow.

I personally think Ireland have a good chance, as I really think all AB resources will be focussed on beating England the week before. It will be in Ireland's interests that NZ wins handily enough against the English.

Cheers.

Should be an interesting enough encounter, plenty of intrIgue between then and now. I'm sure NZ are still smarting from losing to the Rosbif last year and will not want to lose two in a row against them.

Swiwi

5 questions for Joe

What will you do with Keith Earls?
Will you keep SOB at 7?
Who do you see as the longterm replacements for Darcy/BOD?
Zebo, Gilroy, Bowe, Kearney - who misses out?
Next prop off the rank?

CatFromHue

Josef's reign of terror has begun!

Cower in his wake puny Paddies.

Swiwi

JRant wrote: »

Cheers.

Should be an interesting enough encounter, plenty of intrIgue between then and now. I'm sure NZ are still smarting from losing to the Rosbif last year and will not want to lose two in a row against them.

Definitely not. And to then lose to Ireland would be unthinkable. Hence, why I think Ireland should hope for a NZ victory. With England vanquished, and half an eye on the beach/BBQs/beer, the scene would be set for an Irish ambush.

Tox56

Swiwi wrote: »

5 questions for Joe

What will you do with Keith Earls?
Will you keep SOB at 7?
Who do you see as the longterm replacements for Darcy/BOD?
Zebo, Gilroy, Bowe, Kearney - who misses out?
Next prop off the rank?

We probably know the answer to number 2, SOB at 7 is generally his choice when he plays for Leinster (think he actually played him there before Ireland did), having POM and Ferris at his disposal is unlikely to change that

Neil3030

Swiwi wrote: »

5 questions for Joe

What will you do with Keith Earls?
Will you keep SOB at 7?
Who do you see as the longterm replacements for Darcy/BOD?
Zebo, Gilroy, Bowe, Kearney - who misses out?
Next prop off the rank?

Cave or Henshaw would be my stab at question 3b.

mohawk

Tox56 wrote: »

We probably know the answer to number 2, SOB at 7 is generally his choice when he plays for Leinster (think he actually played him there before Ireland did), having POM and Ferris at his disposal is unlikely to change that

If you give anexample of Leinster-Munster match where SOB was at 6 he was very quiet. He is never quiet when he plays 7. I think your right about it being Ireland that moved him to 6.

ssaye

Coach for Leinster confirmed by end of week but Richie Murphy says no final decision made today but all signs point to the only person he mentioned in RTE interview who was Matt O'Connor.

Great day for Irish rugby and a new chapter for Leinster.

I wont expect miracles for the Autumn internationals but would hope for a good showing in the 6N and the push for the world cup is a real possibility to get into the last 4 and who knows.

Tox56

Actually thinking about the back 3 decision that will be fascinating and I can't wait to see what Schmidt comes up with. Zebo/Bowe/Gilroy/Kearney are the main men at the moment but Earls is an excellent 23 covering 11-15, and Fitzgerald is a player I'm sure he has a lot of time for given how well he fits in the Schmidt system

.ak

Tox56 wrote: »

Actually thinking about the back 3 decision that will be fascinating and I can't wait to see what Schmidt comes up with. Zebo/Bowe/Gilroy/Kearney are the main men at the moment but Earls is an excellent 23 covering 11-15, and Fitzgerald is a player I'm sure he has a lot of time for given how well he fits in the Schmidt system

For me I'd love to see Fitz, Zebo and Kearney as the back three. Fitz would work as he usually does, another pair of excellent hands into refix the defenses, Kearney as a strike runner, and Zebo causing headaches and getting behind that gain line. That has a lovely balance to it.

LeeroyJones

Schmidt on 2FM right now

EDIT: Donal Lenihan and Geordan Murphy now discussing

JRant

Swiwi wrote: »

Definitely not. And to then lose to Ireland would be unthinkable. Hence, why I think Ireland should hope for a NZ victory. With England vanquished, and half an eye on the beach/BBQs/beer, the scene would be set for an Irish ambush.

Hopefully the star allign and we can ambush NZ

Think it'll be horses for courses on a lot of the selections you mention.

I can see him going for a Henry type with SOB at 6 for away games, while reverting to POM in at 6 and Seanie at 7 for some home games (providing Fez in crock). Add in TOD, Jordi, Ruddock, Dippy, Lockie and a few others coming through the backrow should be in rude health.

Same for the wing spots.

Not sure about Earls to be honest. There's a few ahead of him on the wings and I'm not sure he's the type of 13 Joe likes but you never know.

Wrt props, it's hard to say. There's some good players coming through but there young and will need more exposure.

.ak

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Schmidt on 2FM right now

EDIT: Donal Lenihan and Geordan Murphy now discussing

Stream didn't work for me. Anything interesting said?

Lyaiera

.ak wrote: »

Stream didn't work for me. Anything interesting said?

I didn't hear the Schmidt part but Donal Lenihan and Geordan Murphy gave the usual level of insight, "He's had Leinster playing really well and all the players speak highly of him." So nothing of note, really.

LeeroyJones

.ak wrote: »

Stream didn't work for me. Anything interesting said?

Nothing that hadnt been said earlier at the Press Conference (embeded below)

Lenihan and Murphy both endorsed the selection eluding to what everybody else has been saying really. Murphy didn't want to comment on MOC going to Leinster but said he was a great coach who would benefit any side

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwmKBLRUEO0

JRant

Good piece in the NZ Herald about it

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10880568

totallegend

.ak wrote: »

Stream didn't work for me. Anything interesting said?

Made a few references to Plan Ireland and that he hoped it would resolve a lot of his concerns. Pretty much said that there would be changes to the player welfare system too, think the phrase he used was that they would "put a bit of science behind it".

He'll also travel to USA and Canada to observe.

opinionatedfan

totallegend wrote: »

Made a few references to Plan Ireland and that he hoped it would resolve a lot of his concerns. Pretty much said that there would be changes to the player welfare system too, think the phrase he used was that they would "put a bit of science behind it".

He'll also travel to USA and Canada to observe.

you would think there was science behind it already. but then again looking at who was in charge of it before Joe. :pac:

Swiwi

JRant wrote: »

Good piece in the NZ Herald about it

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10880568

It's from the Associated Press, though, so probably Irish-authored. If an opinion article by a recognised Kiwi journalist appears in the NZ media, I'll post it on boards.

mfceiling

mfceiling wrote: »

I can almost guarantee that the next irish coach will be someone irish and/or involved with irish rugby.

There is no way the blazers will look outside for a coach........i would nearly bank the house on this.

It wouldn't surprise me if brian mclaughlin, ruddock or even elwood got the offer.....seriously there isn't a snowballs chance of schmidt or someone of that level being offered the job. The blazers are too conservative and would baulk at the thought of an "outsider" getting the job. Mark my words...

You heard it here first folks.

Stay tuned for more of MF's insight and insider information.

danthefan

mfceiling wrote: »

You heard it here first folks.

Stay tuned for more of MF's insight and insider information.

I wouldn't be too harsh on yourself, you can never rely on the IRFU to do the right thing.

Lyaiera

danthefan wrote: »

I wouldn't be too harsh on yourself, you can never rely on the IRFU to do the right thing.

Nothing would surprise me when it comes from the IRFU. I'm waiting for them to announce a contract extension for Schmidt until the 2019 World Cup before the end of the Rabo.

thiarfearr

Lyaiera wrote: »

Nothing would surprise me when it comes from the IRFU. I'm waiting for them to announce a contract extension for Schmidt until the 2019 World Cup before the end of the Rabo.

Well one can dream

tolosenc

IMO, I think his contract is a year too long. Unless he refused a contract that ended in 2015, it should have gone up to the World Cup and no further. Other than that, only the fact that he is leaving Leinster makes me in anyway not happy.

irishbucsfan

tolosenc wrote: »

IMO, I think his contract is a year too long. Unless he refused a contract that ended in 2015, it should have gone up to the World Cup and no further. Other than that, only the fact that he is leaving Leinster makes me in anyway not happy.

Completely disagree. As far as I'm concerned the world cup cycle does not end with the World Cup, but rather with the finalising of the next rankings the following November.

If he's brutal it means a new coach will come in free to do what needs to be done, rather than under the thumb of WC Rankings.

Swiwi

tolosenc wrote: »

IMO, I think his contract is a year too long. Unless he refused a contract that ended in 2015, it should have gone up to the World Cup and no further. Other than that, only the fact that he is leaving Leinster makes me in anyway not happy.

I tend to agree. However, I'd be pretty certain that Joe's a man of honour, so if Ireland have a RWC nightmare, I think he'd resign. But I don't see that happening - if he reaches a RWC 1/4 final, he's already equalled all previous attempts, one step further and it's folklore. The key match is the pool encounter with France (assuming both sides beat Italy) - win that and it's probably Argentina, or maybe Tonga in the 1/4 final. Finish second in the pool, and it's probably NZ. Now I must say if Ireland knocked NZ out in the 1/4 finals there would be a fair amount of irony, and I'm sure "choke" would trend on twitter.

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2064686.html

danthefan

tolosenc wrote: »

IMO, I think his contract is a year too long. Unless he refused a contract that ended in 2015, it should have gone up to the World Cup and no further. Other than that, only the fact that he is leaving Leinster makes me in anyway not happy.

Have you learned nothing at all from EOS and Kidney? Ended up in a situation where they were negotiating their next contracts and getting extensions before the RWC, which is madness.

I get really annoyed that people think we should base everything on a competition which, being honest, we are highly unlikely to win.

Swiwi

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Completely disagree. As far as I'm concerned the world cup cycle does not end with the World Cup, but rather with the finalising of the next rankings the following November.

If he's brutal it means a new coach will come in free to do what needs to be done, rather than under the thumb of WC Rankings.

...if only you had spoken those soothing words to the NZ public in 91. And 95. And 99. And 03. And 07. But sure, we were delighted with our number 1 ranking the following November

NB: just to be clear, I'm being sarcastic...

Swiwi

danthefan wrote: »

Have you learned nothing at all from EOS and Kidney? Ended up in a situation where they were negotiating their next contracts and getting extensions before the RWC, which is madness.

But surely Dan, all contract negotiations should be held back until post-RWC? If it's disaster, there are no contract negotiations, and if it's a success, then it's a mere formality.

danthefan

Swiwi wrote: »

...if only you had spoken those soothing words to the NZ public in 91. And 95. And 99. And 03. And 07. But sure, we were delighted with our number 1 ranking the following November

I know your post is lighthearted but obviously NZ and Ireland have very different expectations going into a RWC. A gallant defeat in the knockout stages would basically be good enough for us.

Aidric

Excellent appointment. The outstanding candidate for the job. I look forward to the shape he puts on the team, lots of good youngsters about.

Swiwi

danthefan wrote: »

I know your post is lighthearted but obviously NZ and Ireland have very different expectations going into a RWC. A gallant defeat in the knockout stages would basically be good enough for us.

But it doesn't have to be. Ireland have beaten France before, and the game will be on neutral territory. The Irish fans support their teams fantastically well, maybe the best in the world, just look at the numbers who travelled to Euro 2012, even though the Irish soccer team was on a hiding to nothing. And the HEC game is amazing the way fans find all sorts of ways to get tickets and support the provinces. I'm sure whatever stadium Ire & Fra play in will be awash with green. Win that game, and Ireland will probably face Argentina in a 1/4 final - once again definitely winnable. Then it's a semi with Aussie, Eng or Wales. I agree that would be extremely tough, even NZ would not be confident, but those teams will have had an arduous pool, maybe shipped some injuries, and as NZ well knows anything can happen in knockout matches. Ireland should dare to dream.

And yes, I was being deprecating, it's impossible these days to support the ABs at RWC without a gallows sense of humour. Heck, we even just about blew a final on home soil at Eden Park where we hadn't lost since 1994 against a French team that couldn't beat Tonga.

danthefan

Swiwi wrote: »

But it doesn't have to be. Ireland have beaten France before, and the game will be on neutral territory. The Irish fans support their teams fantastically well, maybe the best in the world, just look at the numbers who travelled to Euro 2012, even though the Irish soccer team was on a hiding to nothing. And the HEC game is amazing the way fans find all sorts of ways to get tickets and support the provinces. I'm sure whatever stadium Ire & Fra play in will be awash with green. Win that game, and Ireland will probably face Argentina in a 1/4 final - once again definitely winnable. Then it's a semi with Aussie, Eng or Wales. I agree that would be extremely tough, even NZ would not be confident, but those teams will have had an arduous pool, maybe shipped some injuries, and as NZ well knows anything can happen in knockout matches. Ireland should dare to dream.

And yes, I was being deprecating, it's impossible these days to support the ABs at RWC without a gallows sense of humour. Heck, we even just about blew a final on home soil at Eden Park where we hadn't lost since 1994 against a French team that couldn't beat Tonga.

The path you've laid out there for Ireland, it's certainly possible to make a final maybe but I'd still say the chances of winning the thing are obviously very slim. Honestly, if we play a SF against Aus a give a good account of ourselves, I can accept that. We didn't do that at all against Wales last time out, which was bitterly disappointing. I just don't think Ireland need to be working on RWC cycles, that's my point.

tolosenc

Swiwi wrote: »

Now I must say if Ireland knocked NZ out in the 1/4 finals there would be a fair amount of irony, and I'm sure "choke" would trend on twitter.

Well, it'll have been over 12 World Cup games without choking at that stage, so you'd be well overdue...

ScissorPaperRock

.ak wrote: »

Stream didn't work for me. Anything interesting said?

You can listen back to the 2FM interview with Schmidt here

http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplayer/rteradioweb.html#!rii=1%3A20196065%3A0%3A%3A

Tox56

danthefan wrote: »

The path you've laid out there for Ireland, it's certainly possible to make a final maybe but I'd still say the chances of winning the thing are obviously very slim. Honestly, if we play a SF against Aus a give a good account of ourselves, I can accept that. We didn't do that at all against Wales last time out, which was bitterly disappointing. I just don't think Ireland need to be working on RWC cycles, that's my point.

Don't agree with this, why shouldn't we aim to win? We aren't so far behind other international teams (with the exception of NZ) that we should be content with a moral victory or anything like that. In the last 5 games we've played against the Aussies, they've only beaten us twice. If Leinster were going into a H Cup semi-final I would never be content with simply a "good effort", I'd want a win. Ireland aren't the Leinster of intl. rugby I know, but we are perfectly capable of mixing it with anyone, particularly in a one off game (again, NZ possibly accepted)

Swiwi

danthefan wrote: »

The path you've laid out there for Ireland, it's certainly possible to make a final maybe but I'd still say the chances of winning the thing are obviously very slim. Honestly, if we play a SF against Aus a give a good account of ourselves, I can accept that. We didn't do that at all against Wales last time out, which was bitterly disappointing. I just don't think Ireland need to be working on RWC cycles, that's my point.

Yeah I agree, the RWC is great but it has completely changed the dynamic of rugby - for the worse. All these experimental selections, resting of players etc in the leadup completely devalues the game. And like yourself, I was disappointed in the display v Wales.

However, let's not get away from this being the thread about a new coach for Ireland, which seems full of promise, and I really hope Joe delivers the goods - just not in November v NZ - but otherwise as much as possible!

Swiwi

Tox56 wrote: »

Don't agree with this, why shouldn't we aim to win? We aren't so far behind other international teams (with the exception of NZ) that we should be content with a moral victory or anything like that. In the last 5 games we've played against the Aussies, they've only beaten us twice. If Leinster were going into a H Cup semi-final I would never be content with simply a "good effort", I'd want a win. Ireland aren't the Leinster of intl. rugby I know, but we are perfectly capable of mixing it with anyone, particularly in a one off game (again, NZ possibly accepted)

NZ are like any team - liable to fold under pressure. Only in 91 were they definitely not the best, although you could debate 99 & 03. If it weren't for their tough draw, I would favour Eng to win 2015, but I definitely am not confident about NZ repeating their 2011 success. One of Schmidt's biggest challenges is to get Ireland believing they can beat any team on their day. It's a widely held belief in NZ (and I think several key matches prove it) that the Celtic Nations don't quite think they can beat NZ, and fade with the finishing line in site. Eng always believe they can beat anybody, which is why I never take them lightly. If Schmidt can instil genuine self-belief, that's half his job done. Ireland has some world class players, some other very good ones, and although injuries can be crucial, should be winning more matches than they have been doing. Ireland should aim to make the Aviva a fortress, which it definitely isn't at the moment, home games in the 6N should be considered non-negotiable victories. Here's hoping anyway!

Sinbad_NI

Looking forward to some exciting rugby and hopefully a little consistency going into next season.

Plenty of young talent coming tough for Joe to influence.

Excited to see what impact he can have.

Podge_irl

danthefan wrote: »

Have you learned nothing at all from EOS and Kidney? Ended up in a situation where they were negotiating their next contracts and getting extensions before the RWC, which is madness.

I get really annoyed that people think we should base everything on a competition which, being honest, we are highly unlikely to win.

I truly despise the focus on the RWC. You have people suggesting Ireland sacrifice 6N to prepare for it when out success rate in the 6N is frankly pathetic and is by far the more important tournament. I'd take a 6N win over anything except a RWC win, which is completely unlikely to happen.

Teferi

danthefan wrote: »

I know your post is lighthearted but obviously NZ and Ireland have very different expectations going into a RWC. A gallant defeat in the knockout stages would basically be good enough for us.

Not for me. I actually believe that that sort of thinking is the reason we often don't do as well as we should. We have the players to win a World Cup but the nature of the competition needs you to run with a bit of luck. It will happen eventually.

wittycynic

Teferi wrote: »

Not for me. I actually believe that that sort of thinking is the reason we often don't do as well as we should. We have the players to win a World Cup but the nature of the competition needs you to run with a bit of luck. It will happen eventually.

I too don't like the notion of sacrificing a six nations to prepare for a world cup. We simply don't have the squad for it. On our day we have the players to beat anybody but in order to win one we'd have to have our starting fifteen fit and firing on all cylinders for the entire tournament. It's just not feasible.

Bigger teams like NZ, SA, France and England can rotate their squads without dropping too much in quality. Teams like us and Wales probably have a starting fifteen as good as most of them but the second anyone gets injured we usually have a sizeable drop in quality when moving to the second choice in most positions. England could field their second choice pack and they'd still beat up most teams. If we fielded our second choice pack we'd be in serious trouble in an international test.

molloyjh

Strange that this point hasn't been made yet, but the only NH team to win a RWC did so after winning a 6 Nations Grand Slam.

Surely the only way to build to a successful world cup is to compete strongly in the 6 Nations anyway?

mohawk

molloyjh wrote: »

Strange that this point hasn't been made yet, but the only NH team to win a RWC did so after winning a 6 Nations Grand Slam.

Surely the only way to build to a successful world cup is to compete strongly in the 6 Nations anyway?

good point there are two 6N between now and next world cup. So we should aim to win GS in 2015 and then top it off with W/C semi (at least).

dtpc191991

Good interview here. He discusses some of his plans for Irish rugby.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/matchdaytv?play=media&id=15235

Swiwi

Swiwi wrote: »

It's from the Associated Press, though, so probably Irish-authored. If an opinion article by a recognised Kiwi journalist appears in the NZ media, I'll post it on boards.

As promised...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/8616059/Schmidt-from-Palmerston-North-to-Ireland

Swiwi

Michael Corcoran on Radio Sport NZ

http://radiosport.co.nz/player/ondemand/1821055995-michael-corcoran--joe-schmidt-appointed-head-coach-of-ireland-rugby

errlloyd

Swiwi wrote: »

As promised...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/8616059/Schmidt-from-Palmerston-North-to-Ireland

They need it, having finished last in the Six Nations and slipped to ninth on the world rankings, which saw Declan Kidney removed and Schmidt head off Australians Les Kiss and Ewen McKenzie for the role.

I've blocked out that 6n, but did we lose a place somewhere. :P

CIARAN_BOYLE

errlloyd wrote: »

I've blocked out that 6n, but did we lose a place somewhere. :P

joint last on points makes the article more sensationalist to simply call it last.

thebaz

if he gets Ireland playing anything like leinster , it will be a joy supporting Ireland - best of luck - lets hope for a WC semi (sometime in my lifetime - could BOD &POC be still playing - they deserve to be part of history