Murray Kinsella reports from Murrayfield
WITH IRELAND NOW back-to-back Six Nations champions, the excitement over this year’s World Cup is bound to grow and grow.
But for Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, there are more important matters at hand before he turns his attention to the global tournament.
The former Leinster coach will enjoy this latest success with his players this evening after a whirlwind day of emotions, but thereafter family comes first. His 11-year-old son Luke suffers from epilepsy and Schmidt hopes to find help in that regard.
“It’s a massive boost to be honest, but the reality for me is that I’m on dad duty,” said Schmidt when asked about the World Cup after Ireland lifted their Six Nations trophy at Murrayfield.
“I’ve got a sick son and we’re off overseas to see specialists to try to get some help with him, so the reality for me is a long way from rugby when we fly out on Tuesday.
“I’ll park the rugby for a little while, and we’ll see if we can get really lucky on both sides of what’s important to us, then we’ll look at the World Cup towards the end of April and I’ll be watching performances of players as will the other coaches.
We’ll be tracking players through the medical and analysis staff, and then we’ll try to put that together.”
A touching moment at the tail end of a remarkable day, and one that puts everything into perspective.
Schmidt has led Ireland to two Six Nations titles in his first two attempts, but his instant reaction after the second of those successes is to push the credit onto the players and his support staff.
That much reflects the reality of the situation, in that Ireland do have a strong playing and coaching group at present, but it also speaks volumes of the Kiwi’s modesty.
Asked if this was his greatest achievement in coaching, given that Ireland last won back-to-back titles in 1948 and 1949, Schmidt immediately moved the focus away from himself.
“The only thing I’d say about the achievement is that it’s an incredibly player-led environment,” said Schmidt. “We have an incredibly good management staff. I think Jason Cowman got them in the condition that they needed to be in.
“Even in the provinces, they do a great job in making sure we get the athlete that we need. Once they’re in our environment, we have a great medical crew, our analysis guys are great.
“Once the game kicks off, I’m not a lot better than an excited spectator and I was a pretty excited one today through three games. I don’t think it’s good for my heart!
Even for the players, they played on physically [against Scotland] and then they mentally played another one [England's game], certainly emotionally played another one, watching that game.”
Schmidt has tasted success and victory everywhere his coaching career has taken him, with this latest trophy accentuating suggestions that the New Zealander is among the very best in the world in his profession.
Perhaps the humility is part of the reason for his superb record? Pushed to compare this year’s Six Nations win with that of 2014, Schmidt again credited others, captain Paul O’Connell coming in for justified praise.
“It’s special for different reasons,” said Schmidt. “I think it’s special because of the way we had to rebound from last week [and defeat in Cardiff]. I think it’s special because it’s been so long since we’ve put back-to-back Six Nations together.
“I think after last week, the disappointment of missing a record maybe and particularly on Paul’s 100th cap, it would have had a little bit of synergy about it.
“So the big guy [O'Connell] just decided to grab the group by the neck this week and drag them into this game with a fair bit of energy and resolve. Thankfully that was just enough to get us over the line.”
Not just one of the best rugby coaches in the world but totally grounded and clearly a loving father. Respect.
Joe is very gracious in victory and defeat and is clearly a family first man. His class and this victory is even sweater when you look at the snipping that was going on over the past week from the Welsh people, media and their coach. Up Ireland!!!
http://youtu.be/1dOZUvsy9I8
Watch Joe Schmidt being interviewed by Miriam. Some man
http://youtu.be/1dOZUvsy9I8
All Blacks are going to knock on his door at some stage unfortunately. Let’s appreciate him while we have him
Hell of a nice guy, and there isn’t a better coach around. I’m very grateful for Joe. Hope his son can get better.
What an absolute Gentleman!!! Massive respect Joe.
Best of luck Joe and his son.
I red thumb you out of habit.
sad
What sort of moron would red thumb that comment – no matter who made it! Ridiculous .
This will be my last comment of the day, Mr. “Get To The Chooper.”
I think Joe is someone who never sees himself above the rest, always feels that the players deserve so much more credit than him. But what he should remember is that he brought this team back form the pits of hell. He has forever earned the respect of the Irish people and passionate rugby fans. And what he’s doing outside of rugby is remarkable. Hope his son gets well soon.
Chopper
Joe Shmidt a man who has his his priorities right.!
Good wishes to him and his son Luke…..
Lots of love on here for Joe, and it’s easy to see why. Hope his son gets better. Puts things in perspective.
Magnanimous in victory and humble in defeat. What a guy. Wish Joe and the family all the best
Joe is some man for one man. Our best wishes on Tuesday, I hope his son will be ok.
Only a matter of time before he can graze his sheep in the Phoenix park. Good luck to the family
Isn’t it St Stephens Green?
Is it not wherever they like
He can graze his sheep on your balls for all I care.
As a dad to be I can only hold the man in the highest esteem. What a day he has given every proud irishman and woman. A true gent and an inspiration to all on this great little island of ours. No matter what your family comes first. We are lucky to have him and those brave warriors representing us. Hope it works out for his sons treatment we all owe him a huge debt of gratitude. Absolute gent.
Top class coach and father. He’s done far more than expected as Coach and hopefully this will finally mean we perform well at a World Cup. We’ve had Grand Slams, Championhips and Triple Crowns, but we’ve pulled off a solid performance at a World Cup which we could be proud of. Maybe this was due to overconfidence and cockiness, but I know that this shouldn’t be a problem for Schmidt, as he’ll set the team up to forget about this Championship before the World Cup. It’s imperative that the public don’t go overboard with the usual ‘we’ll beat New Zealand and win the world cup’ nonsense I’ve heard before. It’s a long time until October and England, France, Wales, South Africa and Australia will be a lot stronger then. The World Cup is a totally different setup and hopefully we can at least pull off a semi-final appearance.
Pure quality and pure class. Joe, you are indeed an inspirational man for what you do on and off the rugby pitch.
Legend of a man!!
Good luck on Tuesday Joe. Hope you find the best treatment for your son
What a great human being! This team and the people who empower them, including the brilliant travelling support are a beacon of hope and example for us as a nation. Paul O’Connell,among others is Irishness personified, and represents everything that’s special about us a people
Good call on the travelling support, they always do us proud.
What an effin legend!
I’m sure that’s not an effin accent Joe has!
I love this man – he is so humble. We r so privileged to have him as our coach. What a great day for the team and the country. Hope they find the medics to help their son. He’s lucky to have a dad who won’t give up. Just one more thing did Jason Cowman help SOB in his recovery #tullowtankfarmer
Everything this team do is to be applauded… The manager is amazing, the team captain is a fantastic player and leader, the team are a group of fantastic players in their own right, but they choose to join together as a team, and that showed today. They are so committed to Ireland, and it shows, collectively a super group.
Once again, congratulations Paul, you are a true Captain
Delighted that Jason got a mention. Absolute gent
“Different class” is an overused cliche in sport. Not in the case of Joe, it’s almost a disservice to a man who is peerless when it comes to respect and humility in professional sport. #truegent
Where is Jim Telfer now?
What a man.I would say the all blacks are preparing a lucrative package to entice him home.
“The only thing I’d say about the achievement is that it’s an incredibly player-led environment,” said Schmidt. “We have an incredibly good management staff. I think Jason Cowman got them in the condition that they needed to be in.
He’s the man
We should b so glad to have a bloke like this man ,Will bring this team to places no one could think possible ,i really belive this When u got a bloke with skill to help lead a strong team like Ireland ,then anything possible,ps hope his lad does well from a bloke that loves a team that never gives up ,Well done Ireland.
Every one has their own problems.I feel Joe will handle this.He,s very solid and grounded
Great coach, great man. Maybe the regulars on here might stop questioning his selection for a while? 2 in a row, clean sweep in the Autumn, and all the while bringing new players into the mix. Thanks lads for a great day!
I thought It was a bit harsh dropping Zebo but Fitz was really good today and brought something else to the game.
Players will only perform if they believe in the manager’s philosophy and oh what a philosophy it’s turning out to be….all hail Joe…father,manager, God!
True leaders …. shares the success with the on field and off field team
What an amazing day of sport. We are so fortunate to have Schmidt at the helm.
Some of the coverage (particularly from Matt Williams in print and on podcasts) was so absurd and infuriating. It’s true that he is not the messiah, he’s just the best bloody coach in the game right now.
Unbelievable to see so many nice and great comments about joe, totally deserved, what a down to earth coach and father, hope all works out ok with ur son, 2championships back to back, u deserve a key to the city, well done and enjoy the family time.
Thank you for a wonderful six nations tournament Joe now go and look after your family and come back and fire the boys up again!
How can people dislike the comments above?!!! I’m at a loss at people’s thought process!!!
#legend
Top coach top man ..
Go joe x
It has been a real privilege to have Joe at the helm. So successful but with considerable humility and grace.
Enjoy it while it lasts ladies and gents :-)
Your red tumbing these comments….really you need to get a life.
The red thumbers are ignorant idiots with not an ounce of empathy. Just ignore them.
Red Thummers, WIMPS
Fantastic coach for Leinster. Now fantastic coach for Ireland. Great guy also and hopefully his family issues improve. The best thing for Irish sport would be a commitment that he’ll stay with Irish rugby for several more years.
What a legend. He will inevitably be offered the All Blacks job at some stage.
Incredible coach and to think Joe has all this worry going on in the background. What a guy! Best wishes to Luke this week, hopefully some treatment to improve his situation can be found.
Congrats and best wishes to son.
Now there’s a man who is a true icon. A true gentleman who still puts family first. What a role model! The are others in the media spotlight who could learn a lot from him. Hopefully things turn out alright for his son.
Joe Schmidt is the most unassuming man i have ever seen. Does he know what he does for this Country, how happy he makes the Irish fans.
I wish him and his wife all the best with their son and i ask one thing of him, please please stay with us in Ireland, you would be such a loss to the rugby world as well as the people. Best wishes
Joe Schmidt, What a man, an example to every man in the country. Best wishes for his son’s recovery.
He is what rugby is all about, a gentleman through and through and a truly great coach for Ireland. You couldn’t dislike the man and I wish him well in getting the treatment for his son.
Teact ROSES to 50300 to support epilepsy Ireland #thanksjoe #shouldertoshoulder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY7uWfqoPzk
would not expect him to do anything else now infairness.