Joe Schmidt

This needs to be read by everyone who has an interest in Irish Rugby. Would love to know what he thought/thinks of Connacht and what could be done to help/rectify the problem.

I got sent this earlier today by a friend who had in turn got sent it off one of his friends. There is nothing in it that is breaking a confidence and there is nothing in it which reveals anything tactically or otherwise, Joe Schmidt is far to clever an operator for anything like that. It is just a refreshing read which reinforces a lot of the reasons why it is easy to get behind a team which is coached by this man. If you have a couple of minutes I think it would be worth a read. Some of you may have already read it and apologies if it is up here somewhere already (I believe the talk was at some club night that he was guest speaker).





Said he has no tolerance for people not working as hard as they can
He places a big emphasis on KPIs (key performance indicators)

He referred to the New Zealand game and that the head of refs confirmed to him that Owens made an error over the last NZ penalty, but said that even after that we made 7 system errors (for example wrong body shape in the tackle) and that really frustrated him as it can be the difference between turning the ball over or at least stopping the yards being gained.

He says he likes/needs to keep the lads entertained, and one of the odder games they've had was not celebrating for scoring trys. Rationale being that they're paid to score trys, and a postman doesn't celebrate when he delivers a letter! Initially brought it into training and then quickly extended into matches. But the lads had great fun when a lad celebrated scoring a try as he'd be doing laps for the rest of the training match while everyone else got on with playing the game.
He also mentioned that any chat at all to him when he was reffing a training game (e.g. "that was a knock-on", or "he celebrated") resulted in immediate removal from the game for the offender and the starting of laps! Discipline absolutely key. And his motto was if you can't be disciplined in training how could you expect to be disciplined on the field of play.

Schmidt did say that the one time he overlooked the try celebrations was when Mike Ross scored his one and only try. "He never even scored a try as a kid, so I was happy to let that one pass"!

He mentioned that he was very proud of the fact that Leinster won the fair play award 2 out of 3 years he was there. And it was an after-match citing and ban for one player late in the season (the third season I think he said, but not 100% sure) that cost the 3/3.

They have a system of internal fines/penalties for misdemeanours, where the players impose penalties on each other for indiscretions, however small. Once a week they all gather to dish out the punishments. Reddin is the administrator and calls out all the offenders. They roll a massive dice, and whatever number they roll decides the punishment. He says the players think the worst one is a €250 fine, and they go crazy with excitement whenever someone gets this - shows they're really a bunch of big kids. The other one they hate getting is "Suits for 2 weeks", i.e. every day for training they have to arrive in a suit/shirt/tie, and after training they have to put the suit/shirt/tie back on
He was asked does he feel under massive pressure for the team to perform well in the 6 Nations. He said not really as that's his job, but the one thing maybe they do fear is the victimisation that can sometimes happen after a poor performance /result.

He said that coming up to a game, regardless of what went on the previous weekend or during the early part of the week, everything he says to the players on a Thursday and Friday is positive.

He mentioned one instance where they'd suffered a defeat, put in a poor performance and got a hammering in the press, and had another big game the following weekend, and morale was as low as he'd seen it. He said Leo came up with an idea, or basically an order, where every player was assigned a player they had to send a text too. It had to be a positive text, about something the recipient does really well. Schmidt said he was unsure about the idea, but that it worked wonders. The following day morale was back to high, and they put in a powerhouse performance that weekend.

He said after a Saturday game, the players would come in on Sunday morning at about 10am for any medical treatments, massages, general loosening up, etc. Usually 2 or 3 of them would take it in come into his office for a chat about a particular incident in the game, and he feels its one of his jobs to know exactly what they are talking about, no matter when the incident happened during the game. He said between the end of the game and the Sunday morning chats, he will have spent 6 hours reviewing the video of the game, going though every incident in fine detail. So a player knows that he can have a proper conversation with him about any incident and he'll be able to answer it. (Typically it'd be a player asking did he make the right decision with that kick or pass or similar).
He says he doesn't pay much attention to what is said in the media and respects everyone's right to have an opinion, and their right to have the completely wrong opinion! He said one that sticks out was Hook's comments after his fourth match in charge of Leinster, when they'd lost for the 3rd time. Hook said he'd clearly lost the dressing room and that basically he should pack it in. "This despite the fact that not only was he never in the dressing room, but he hadnt even spoken to one individual in the dressing room". He said the following morning, Dric and Leo came in together to see him in his office. They said to completely ignore Hook or any other criticism, that they had 100% faith in what he was trying to do and that all the lads felt the same. They told him not to change anything regarding his approach and that they truly believed it would all come together. He said that while the pressure was on, he'd never felt as good. He was still a newbie with the team, but having these two giants of men on his side he knew it would come right. That weekend they played Munster, and Drico scored a late try to win the match, and the team never looked back.

He was asked about the difference between the performance v the Aussies and the All Blacks. He said the difference wasn't as big as it might have looked. A lot of the KPIs were better in the Aussie game and they actually made less system errors, but there were 4 incidents which completely changed the game. In the first half we were in a really strong position until Sexton's injury. The timing of it ruined a great attacking opportunity. He also said he hobbled off in the wrong direction which cost us (can't say I understood that). He also mentioned a Healy incident in the 1st half that was a turning point. But even after that we were well in the game at half time. Then in the 2nd half two poor errors were made and capitalised on by the Aussies and it was game over. He said any of the positive stuff from the Aussie game seemed to be completely ignored in the media. He mentioned Fergus McFadden had a superb game on the wing and made 5 clean line breaks, which is rare in top level international rugby.

He did say the players were gutted afterwards and there was a monumental effort to make sure no stone was unturned in their efforts to beat the All Blacks.
Moved on again to talking about his perfectionism, and that if he sees an error in training, he will always stop to make sure the player understands what went wrong. He lets nothing go. Training is usually televised and he does look over the tapes and if he sees something that was missed at the time, he will call the players out about it. (Interestingly, afterwards there was a lot of talk from those supposedly in the know that some of the Munster guys, and O'Connell in particular, are struggling a bit to get used to his methods, in how pedantic he is about pulling people up over even seemingly minor errors).

A question came from the audience by a chap who said he was from Tipp and a big Munster fan, and that when he played it was often left to him to give the pre-match talk and it was usually kicking tables and swearing, so how did Joe manage to keep his pre match chats different/interesting and not just repeating what he said last week. Joe started off by saying unlike in Munster, we don't actually swear in Leinster. "But now that I've a few Munster lads I'm coaching I've had to learn the swear words so they can understand me!"

He said he usually leaves the pre match teamtalks to the players. All his work will have been done by then, though he may issue a few reminders to players on an individual basis.

He said everyone knows about Sexton's half time speech in the Northampton Heineken Cup final, but Heaslip also made a very impassioned short speech. He said it was 20 or 22 or 24 words long. Can't remember exactly what was said but knows it was an even number of words, because every second word was the same!

Someone else asked whether he thinks great leaders like Drico are born or made, nature or nurture. He said he's pretty sure most of it is developed / learned through experience. He said from what he's heard about Drico from before his time, that there was a wild side to him and he wasn't the best leader. But he matured, got his priorities right and turned himself into a great leader.
He mentioned that one of the small things he copied from his Clermont days is shaking hands when you meet someone for the first time that day. He said its something the players really took to. He said Jamie in particular is a big fan, and goes out of his way to shake hand with young academy lads he sees which gives them a huge lift. Schmidt said that when he's had chats with the young lads, a good few of them have said to him how a Jamie hand shake really gives them a huge boost and gives them such a strong feeling of belonging to the group - so little things can have a big impact.

Someone then asked a question about New Zealanders being so mentally tough, they seem to be born that way, when critical moments arrive in matches they always step up to the plate, always mentally strong, always make the right decisions. How the day before the Ireland-NZ game, in the rugby league world cup semi the Kiwis got a last gasp win against England, and then of course the last gasp win by the All Blacks against us. And did Joe agree that New Zealanders just have that mental edge over everyone else?

Joe replied that he thought that was a load of rubbish! England made a horrendous mistake at the end of their match. Sure, the Kiwis took advantage, but without that error the Kiwis were beaten.

With our game he said obviously Jonny's miss was a big moment. He said Jonny was sure it was over as it left his boot, and the feeling a kicker has at that moment is right 95% of the time. This time it didnt go over, and these things happen. But if it had, it wouldnt have mattered how psychologically strong the All Blacks were, they were beaten. Not that he believes they are mentally stronger. He said late on Cruden hit a terrible kick from his own 22 that showed clear signs of panic. Handed possession right back to us and gave us the chance to kill the game. But then he talked about the crucial late penalty given to New Zealand. He said he had a good long chat with the referee assessor, and he agreed completely that there were two clear penalty infringements by New Zealand players in the moments before Ireland were penalised. If Owens had picked up either of those, as he should have, then Ireland had the game won, and nobody would have been talking about New Zealand's supposed amazing mental strength.

Joe then talked about stuff he read about the All Blacks in 2007 versus 2011. That in 2007 they were supposed to be the best team in the world but they let the pressure get to them once again in the World Cup and bottled it. But that in 2011, being at home and post the earthquake there was no way they were going to let this one go, and mentally/physically and every other way there was no way they would be beaten. "So the story goes" he said.
"But its utter ballix"! (the only swear word he used during his talk)

He said the main reason they lost v France in 2007 was Wayne Barnes. Far too young and inexperienced a ref to receive such a game, it was a disgraceful decision to give him the game and he gave a horrible performance. NZ had 70% possession and couldnt get a penalty. All the big decisions went France's way. And the crucial try had "a clear and obvious forward pass".

Again in the 2011 final it was the referee who decided the outcome of the game. He said Joubert is a super ref, probably the best around, but he had a very bad day. He said New Zealand cheated throughout the game and got clean away with it. He said he's talked to some of the players since then and they said they could hardly believe it as it was happening. Schmidt said in his opinion, the All Blacks completely bottled it in the 2nd half of the final, they were awful, but because of Joubert they got away with it.

At the end of the day he said, its the old story, "Whoever wins the war writes the history" regardless of what the actual facts are.

He briefly mentioned Seanie as it has just been announced he was signing for Leinster. He said nearly all the stuff in the papers was made up. Seanie's agent must have been applauding every paper. But as far as he was concerned he was never going to Toulon.

He finished up by saying his perception of the Irish lads is that they are mentally tough. He has no doubt they are a very resilient bunch. He said the one area he will admit to being behind the likes of New Zealand is quality of the bench. He listed off the guys who came on as sub against us and said they'd start for pretty much every other team in the world. He said where he wants to get to with Ireland is to have a squad of 30 to 35 players, where one can replace another seamlessly, without any weakness to the overall team.

I have been lurking on the Munsterfans website. Sad stuff really, have been very anti JS on the basis of there being so few Munster players, especially about Zebo and Tommy O'Donnell. There was almost glee in today's result, most want anyone from Leinster dropped, clearly not as anti Ulster, but many calling for Schmidt Out.

I thought Ireland were ok today, it was close, but midfield was poor, but in second half they did not have as much fast ball. probably some changes needed, but not removal of all Leinster players. Ref is a hometown one, always has been, I saw his stats that before today 82% of his matches! the home team win. With Roland it's 50:50. England were pretty good also!

Not a fan of the Munster site I don't think there moderators do their job and let to many shoot their mouths off.

As for the game I wasn't impressed with Schmidt today. I think he should have taken off Sexton who clearly wasn't with it after the knock to the head.

I don't see the point of keeping on a player if their not with it and outhalf is to important a position to have a player only 80 or 90%. There was also two or three times that Kearney should have taken the kick into touch along the touchline as Sexton wasn't making any huge ground. I was disappointed but England were great today. Kudos to them for the win but by keeping them within 3 points we still have a good chance of winning the 6N. As for shouting that a manager should go halfway through a championship that is asinine.

Not exactly neutral on here either on many subjects but that is the nature of fans forums. Also remember you only get the more passionate/dedicated/militant posting regularly.

Most educated fans are aware that all coaches in all codes tend to lean towards players they know and trust with their tactics/systems. Deccie was vilified for it here and elsewhere, Eddie also did it and suffered similarly. Joe is now doing it. If he persists with it over time and results don't go his way he will suffer the same fate.

The frustration/ annoyance is the apparent double standard. Zebo needs games but McFadden apparently doesn't. TOD is astarter being dropped for mMurphy who is a sub etc. It appears to the more passionate among Munsters fans that all the 50/50s are going Leinster way. Munster rugby themselves implied as much during the week on their website and keatley has mentioned it in an interview.I personally am delighted that another province is doing the heavy lifting for a change. We are all Irish supporters. It has never meant that we agree with everything the coach does.
Joe lost a game that could have been won today and his tactics didn't work. If that continues to happen or won't only be munsterfans.com questioning his decisions and in time his character.

Dissapointing to let that one slip away. The thought did cross my mind that Zebo (even though he can be an arrogant twat) coming on rather than McFadden may have offered more especially for a side chasing the match. Jordi Murphy has been in great form for Leinster. O'Donnell isn't far away but that's hardly a match defining call. If he was totally pro-Leinster he'd have brought Murray off who, try saving tackle early on aside failed to live up to his billing. Sexton wasn't right after the hit he got, don't think I'd have been happy to see Paddy Jackson come on but it would probably have been the right decision.

Keatley looking for inclusion is ridiculous. He has been nowhere near the standard required in the big games. No-one else from Munster is good enough at present

I hate the interpro parochial bullshit. Luckily the one eyed fans on all sides have the Heineken Cup to look forward to and leave the rest of us to watch the rugby that Ireland is and always will be judged by.

Ireland made some poor mistakes today but compare the present setup to the jokeshop under Kidney (post world cup mainly) and its been a significant step forward.

We still have a chance of the championship, need to focus on beating Italy hopefully by a decent margin and then its a one off game in Paris. We usually don't play well there and believe in our head we are beaten before a ball is kicked but like Ireland with Kidney I think the French public know its time for change. A good start for Ireland in that game and its a very winnable game.

Some clarification is required -
Keatley was referring to the Munster squad not himself specifically.
2. Sexton kicked poorly for the majority of the game and some of his decisions were mystifying. Joe clearly does not trust Jackson in pressure situations..
3. Lancaster won the tactical battle hands down and our key players were under ferocious pressure throughout. I include our back row, halfbacks and centres in that.
4. We lack pace in the 3/4 line.
5. Joe has beaten the teams our world rankings suggest we should and lost to the teams the rankings suggest we should lose to under Joe. He has a 50% win ratio and may well finish the 6ns on 50%.

rossie wrote: Not exactly neutral on here either on many subjects but that is the nature of fans forums. Also remember you only get the more passionate/dedicated/militant posting regularly.

Most educated fans are aware that all coaches in all codes tend to lean towards players they know and trust with their tactics/systems. Deccie was vilified for it here and elsewhere, Eddie also did it and suffered similarly. Joe is now doing it. If he persists with it over time and results don't go his way he will suffer the same fate.

The frustration/ annoyance is the apparent double standard. Zebo needs games but McFadden apparently doesn't. TOD is astarter being dropped for mMurphy who is a sub etc. It appears to the more passionate among Munsters fans that all the 50/50s are going Leinster way.

Unless Zebo learns to play center, he shouldn't be in 23. D Kearney and Trimble deserved their shot and I think they are good enough to stay there too. Both made some decent breaks today. Zebo is far too over hyped for my liking, great player but has also only done it against Wales and a solid game against the Boks at this level albeit injury is mainly responsible for that. I actually think Zebo and McFadden will start on the wings against Italy for rotation and Schmidt has said since day one he wants a strong 30 man squad as opposed to a strong 15.

I honestly won't be surprised to not see Murphy in the 23 next week. It won't be anything against him either, just what Schmidt wants to do in developing options. Could be TOD or Ruddock next time.

rossie wrote: 5. Joe has beaten the teams our world rankings suggest we should and lost to the teams the rankings suggest we should lose to under Joe. He has a 50% win ratio and may well finish the 6ns on 50%.

Came within one score of beating England at Twickenham, 30 seconds of the All Blacks and beat the reigning Grand Slam champions comprehensively. Australia was poor but it happens and Australia are rejuvenated under McKenzie.

The world rankings is a useless tool for deciding who should win each game. But if we don't beat France it will be awful because they are a dreadful team albeit with wonderful players.

Random thoughts;

Sexton seemed like he might have been at least mildly concussed, shaking his head and blinking. Would not be too surprised if Murray was the same, both took some late hits.

I had a bad feeling about the game once Farrell hit Murray late, without wrapping, and wasn't carded. For me that was as clear a yellow card tackle as you will see. I don't think any of the refs decisions won the game for England necessarily but he turned a blind eye to a lot of their actions, and they often got away with coming into rucks offside, coming in from the side, standing offside in the ruck, etc.

Joe is having to manage Bod and Darce's farewell tour and having to play within the confines of what they are capable of at this point. I was surprised mcFadden didn't come on for Bod, and he probably should have even before Bod was injured imo.

McFadden has much more experience and caps than zebo. For all the talk about whether he should be in the team, X factor, etc, snore, he only has 6 Ireland caps. Add to that any sub back needs to be capable of covering centre as its_phil says.

I don't know if it was a good or bad thing, what sort of gain it might have made, but I don't remember one offload in the tackle by Ireland. Maybe it was a percentage thing, avoid rash decisions, but it seemed to make Ireland both slower and easier to defend against.

With regards to the Zebo vs McFadden debate. The Demented Mole made some good points about McFadden after the Novemner Internationals

Not for the first time this year, Fergus McFadden was Ireland’s most threatening and effective back. It seems to be de rigeur in certain sections to damn him with faint praise and to treat every good test performance as an anomaly, regardless of the evidence that builds up in his favour.

Obviously the standout numbers from his performance were his 132 metres run [best on the pitch by some margin] and three clean breaks, but he was also the only Irish three-quarter not to miss any tackles [going 4/0], and finished tenth on the team’s ruck marks, second amongst the backline, with 36 points [1 decisive, 8 hits, 2 guards, 4 presents]. As an all-round performance, it was pretty clearly the stand-out effort from any of the Irish backs.

McFadden hasn’t quite been operating at Mike Brown levels, but there are similarities between them in that they are gutsy, competitive players who were relatively late bloomers at test level. Neither player really fits the stereotype associated with their respective positions [or their clubs, for that matter], but this isn’t synchronised swimming. There are no points for style.

The Kildare man played five games for Ireland in 2013: against France in the Six Nations, the two games of the North America tour, against the US and Canada, and two of the games of the November series, against Samoa and Australia.The lad averaged 11 carries and better than 65m per game, but more impressive is the average of two clean breaks every test this year, and better than two and a half defenders beaten.

McFadden has 21 test caps [13+8] and has scored 8 tries in those games; 4 of those have come against ‘minnows’ Canada [3] and Russia [1], with the others coming against New Zealand, France, Scotland and Samoa. Those aren’t staggering, Julian Savea-type numbers, but they hold up well in comparison to his contemporaries:

Andrew Trimble [born 1984]; 50 tests [38+12] & 12 test tries [including 2 vs Romania, 1 vs Namibia, 1 vs Russia and 1 vs Canada]
Keith Earls [born 1987]: 39 tests [31+8] & 12 test tries [including 2 vs Russia, 2 vs Fijiª and 1 vs Canada]
Luke Fitzgerald [born 1987]: 27 tests [19+8] & 2 test tries

ª For the sake of comparison, it’s worth considering that it’s neither accurate nor [to use a derided word] ‘fair’ to count Earls’ two tries against Fiji in the 43-6 win in the RDS back in November 2009, and not to count McFadden’s two in the 53-0 win against the same opposition down in Thomond last year. The November 2012 game against Fiji was distinctly not a Wolfhounds game, and neither match was played at the national stadium. The primary reason the more recent game wasn’t classed as a test match was because of a sponsorship clause that requires all Irish home test matches to be played at Lansdowne Road and because the attendance drawn by Fiji wouldn’t cover the cost of staffing the Aviva Stadium. That’s not really a good enough reason, in my opinion. Fiji are a country, they sent over their national team. Not awarding caps for that fixture nor regarding it as a test match is one of those decisions which is absolutely understandable from a commercial and financial point of view, but still smells rotten. With that proviso, McFadden’s record would improve to 22 tests [14+8] with 10 tries, 6 of them against ‘minnows’.

This isn’t to say that McFadden is better or worse than Earls or Trimble or Fitzgerald. It’s just that in terms of production, in terms of things that have actually happened, he compares well with any of them.

Fitzgerald made his test debut as a 19 year old [against the Pacific Islands in November 2006], Trimble a month after his 21st birthday [against Australia in November 2005] and Earls at about the same age as the Ulster winger, his first Irish cap coming in November 2008 against Canada. McFadden didn’t debut until he was 24 [against Italy in the 2011 Six Nations]; that might seem somewhat beside the point, but again, it’s noticeable that there’s a bit of a sniffy attitude about players who don’t break into the test side as nippers.

Rather than sticking blindly to preconceptions or talking blithely about a player’s ‘class’ when you can’t put your finger on what it is that he does [or doesn't do] that sets him apart, looking at a player’s production can give you a strong pointer as to why he gets the nod in selection, and why maybe it’s not the wrong decision after all.

It's a shame Zebo was out injured in the November internationals as it would interesting to compare their numbers.

Plus McFadden is a solid goal kicker, not as good as Sexton, but close enough with more practice, and as good if not better than Jackson. He is completely underrated as he is not flash, but I'd have him in any team. He can also play 12 or 13 effectively.

Apparently McFadden is the best defensive winger we have and has a pretty good scoring rate to. Adding to the kicking like you said and that he can cover 11 to 14 it makes sense to have him on the bench rather than Zebo. That's not taking anything away from Zebo but I think him being left out is not the scandal some detractors want it to be. Was there problems yesterday? Yes but I think England deserve a lot of credit for forcing us into mistakes. That said I think there is a good chance of Zebo making the 23 against Italy.

connachtexile wrote:

Rather than sticking blindly to preconceptions or talking blithely about a player’s ‘class’ when you can’t put your finger on what it is that he does [or doesn't do] that sets him apart, looking at a player’s production can give you a strong pointer as to why he gets the nod in selection, and why maybe it’s not the wrong decision after all.

Ah get bent Exile, McFadden doesn't play for Munster and that's all the reason you need that Zebo should be ahead of him. Capiche?

salmson wrote:

connachtexile wrote:

Rather than sticking blindly to preconceptions or talking blithely about a player’s ‘class’ when you can’t put your finger on what it is that he does [or doesn't do] that sets him apart, looking at a player’s production can give you a strong pointer as to why he gets the nod in selection, and why maybe it’s not the wrong decision after all.

Ah get bent Exile, McFadden doesn't play for Munster and that's all the reason you need that Zebo should be ahead of him. Capiche?

Its a Munster fans site. If you don't like their opinion stay away.

Zebo has scored 4 tries in 4 games since returning from injury.how's that for production?

Relax, just messing with Exile.

As for other provinces' fan forums, I never play away...

connachtexile wrote: Apparently McFadden is the best defensive winger we have and has a pretty good scoring rate to. Adding to the kicking like you said and that he can cover 11 to 14 it makes sense to have him on the bench rather than Zebo. That's not taking anything away from Zebo but I think him being left out is not the scandal some detractors want it to be. Was there problems yesterday? Yes but I think England deserve a lot of credit for forcing us into mistakes. That said I think there is a good chance of Zebo making the 23 against Italy.

Sorry exile but you have brought this on yourself. After posting that piece from the rugby guru I'm going to have to ask you to back up the claim that McFadden is the best defensive winger we have? McFadden and Trimble both started out at 13. Both made a decision to become wingers seeking further international opportunities than were available in centre st that time which is ironic considering the current situation. Zebo covers wing and FB. McFadden wing and centre. Jackson OH and centre, Trimble wing and centre. So you would lose nothing with zebo on bench or wing. Oh and Jackson covers the goalkicking.

IMO the two best wingers available to Ireland when everyone is fit are zebo and bowe.the stats go some way towards backing that up.