Comparisons between Irish and Australian rugby are many – third (if not fourth) most popular field sport in the country, provincial teams playing in international tournaments, centrally contracted players, we could continue.
Instead, this article will look at the new coaches from an Irish-centric point of view.
Australia appointed Ewen McKenzie this year after the Lions tour defeat. Successful in provincial terms with NSW, and to a better extent, Queensland, he plays an exciting brand of rugby that centres on a 10 that divides opinion.
His predecessor was also successful in provincial terms, but could not turn this into success after some early positive signs.
McKenzie means hope for Australia, as he moves the country on from a facile kick-orientated attack plan to one that revolves around the hugely talented players numbered 7, 9, 10 and 15.
Schmidt’s CV is very similar. An innovative attacking coach with huge success at provincial level with Leinster – a glorious three years with four trophies – he takes over from a similarly successful coach that never got the potential from his squad.
Schmidt’s game plan at Leinster revolved around Jonny Sexton, a figure who divides opinion on this island due to his new employers Racing Metro 92, who ran the show. During Schmidt’s tenure, Sexton led an all singing, all dancing team to two Heineken Cups, a Rabo title and an Amlin Cup in three years.
This team was playing the closest thing to All Blacks rugby this side of the equator.
Kidney’s attacking plan left all and sundry scratching their heads as to what was going on. One minute it was forward dominated; the next, touchline to touchline.
Could this have been down to his inability to drop Ronan O’Gara until he could see the pearly gates of retirement? Schmidt brings hope that Ireland will play the same exciting and, most importantly, winning brand of rugby seen at Leinster.
Ireland’s game will focus around Sean O’Brien at 7, Conor Murray at 9 and Sexton at 10. We can only hope Rob Kearney finds his sky scraping form to complete the 7, 9, 10, 15 axis.
Hope defines the start of these regimes, with some unavoidable speed bumps dampening the mood Down Under.
Only time will tell whether the talent, which is there on both sides, can be transformed into success.
RobC
Guest
The difference for this game: WBs has sufficient opportunity to get it right and play well - injuries or otherwise. There are no longer any excuses. I dont mind too much to lose, if Ireland happens to play the perfect game, on the day. But I suspect (hope) not.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
McKenzie's tenure at Stade is misunderstood. Look at how many coaches there were prior to him and after him. He was driven out by Guazzini who was more obsessed with player names than player quality. In his 1st season at Stade he did well.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Martin Johnson wasn't actually a coach. He also lead England to their best 6N finish since 2003 in 2010, then won the tournament in 2011 and he also delivered an away victory in Australia, and a record home victory over the Wallabies. Suffice to say he was more successful than Andy Robinson or Brian Ashton and to this point Stuart Lancaster.
Ken
Guest
The premise is of coaching not as a player ,Martin Johnson great rugby World Cup winning player ,terrible coach ?,this article is about coaching achievements and under achievements and yes bringing in assistant coaching qualifications is nonsense ,this is about being a head coach.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
He also coached NZ Schools and as assistant won the Top 14 by the way but since we have moved the goal posts. CV the same? No, I dont think so.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Schmidt the Euro challenge cup too. Schmidt has never been sacked and was an assistant in Auckland.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Umm so are we including assistant roles now too? Clutching at straws much? You missed the fact that McKenzie has been sacked 2 from 3 as a head coach. You missed McKenzies poor results as Wallaby coach. Schmidt has won the French Top 15 title, the Pro 12 title, the H Cup title. McKenzie the Super title and sacked from the Top 14 halfway through because of bad results. Dont be silly and start crediting McKenzie as an assistant. Unless you wan me to credit the Reds Super win to Ewens assistants.
Billy Bob
Guest
Actually, there is not much real equivalence. Was Schmidt a test player? Did he win a World Cup? Two different men and coaches. We are going to learn something in the next 50 odd hours
Billy Bob
Guest
Tane? Where did Tane go? Was that 'check'? Or 'checkmate'? Tane?
Dasher
Roar Guru
Ewen McKenzie Assistant coach of Wallabies - 1 Lions Trophy, 2 Tri Nations trophies, 3 Bledisloe Cups, Coach of Waratahs - 3 playoff appearances, 2 grand finals. Coach of Reds - 3 playoff appearances, 1 Super Rugby trophy. Joe Schmidt Coach of BOP - no success Coach of Blues - one playoff appearance Coach of Leinster - 2 Heineken Cups Coach of Ireland - 1 from 1.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Mckenzie: Tahs. Sacked half way through season. Stade Francais. Sacked half way through the season. Reds. Success. Wallabies. 3 from 9. This is not similar to Schmidts CV.
Jack Morris
Roar Rookie
I presumed that the head coach of one of the major rugby nations didn't need his first name noted on a site devoted to the sport. I am aware of his previous credentials but for the purpose of this article, comparing the new Australian and Irish coaching regimes, I didn't feel it necessary to put his CV into print. A quick google search would have cleared it up, but thanks for the feedback as this is only my second article.
atlas
Guest
Morris, how about identifying who you're talking about early in the article? 'Schmidt' as you call him, does have a first name. His CV extends beyond Leinster - there's another 5 seasons (NPC with Bay of Plenty, Super for Blues)