The Ireland rugby team that Joe Schmidt took over as head coach in April 2013 was in a sorry state.
Despite having superstars such as Brian O’Driscoll in their midst, Ireland had fallen to a humiliating defeat against Italy in the Six Nations and were ninth in the world rankings, below Samoa.
In six years in charge of the Irish, Schmidt dragged the team kicking, and often screaming, into a new era of success. Under him, they became the best team in the world, winning three Six Nations titles, a first-ever victory over the All Blacks and a first-ever away win in South Africa.
In short, Schmidt will not be perturbed by the scale of the task he faces with a Wallabies team that have been battered and bruised by a disastrous World Cup campaign under Eddie Jones.
The former schoolteacher from the tiny town of Woodville on New Zealand’s North Island has made a career out of upsetting the odds. Let’s get to know him a little better.
For a man who is renowned for the intense analysis and strategy for his teams, Schmidt’s journey to the summit of rugby coaching has come from his unique ability, drive and a series of fortunate events.
Joe Schmidt was an All Blacks assistant coach at the Rugby World Cup.Credit: Getty
His first serious coaching gig was at Palmerston North Boys’ High School where he worked as an English teacher, he was asked to coach the First XV, and initially declined. However, after injuring himself playing club rugby, he eventually decided to take up the clipboard.
Meet the new Wallabies coach who turned Ireland around
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The Ireland rugby team that Joe Schmidt took over as head coach in April 2013 was in a sorry state.
Despite having superstars such as Brian O’Driscoll in their midst, Ireland had fallen to a humiliating defeat against Italy in the Six Nations and were ninth in the world rankings, below Samoa.
In six years in charge of the Irish, Schmidt dragged the team kicking, and often........
© The Sydney Morning Herald
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