There’s no doubt Schmidt is one of the best in the business – O’Connell

ONE GETS THE feeling that this evening’s clash with Australia is more about the Ireland players than their coach, but still the presence of Joe Schmidt in charge of the national team inspires confidence.

We pointed out before the South Africa match that the Kiwi head coach remains Ireland’s real trump card, and again the Irish players will have utter belief in the game plan Schmidt has laid out for them against the Wallabies.

The year since last November’s 32-15 defeat to the Australians in Dublin has been a joy for Irish rugby supporters, thanks to a Six Nations title and many impressive performances under Schmidt.

Ireland captain Paul O’Connell is certain that the Kiwi is a world-leading practitioner in his field.

“From everything that goes on in the team hotel, to how players interact with fans and everything. So there’s no doubt he’s been excellent and I think there’s a very good group of players there in the Irish squad that, I suppose, were ready to take advantage and work with a coach like Joe.”

It’s a knowing assessment from O’Connell, particularly in pointing out that Ireland had the quality of player there for Schmidt to drive to high performance with. Men like O’Connell, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, Rory Best, Jamie Heaslip, Mike Ross and Devin Toner were ready to be driven to higher highs in the international game.

Schmidt gets involved at Ireland’s captain’s run yesterday. Source: Inpho/Billy Stickland

Those are the leaders who won’t accept a dip against Australia tomorrow, players who would have been particularly aggrieved by Ireland’s capitulation against Australia 12 months ago.

For O’Connell, the fact that other players are pushing forward in leadership roles on the pitch is one of the most encouraging aspects of all in the last year. He identifies loosehead prop Jack McGrath as one such example.

“I think everyone has a job to lead on the field. Example is the biggest part of that, and against a team like South Africa, you know you’re going to have to defend, you know you’re going to have to be physical when you defend.

Of chief concern to O’Connell in this evening’s clash will be the line-out and maul, areas of Ireland’s game that he runs and takes huge pride in.

The Wallabies have had their own issues in that area, but Munster lock O’Connell believes Rob Simmons and Sam Carter will run a tight ship in that area at the Aviva Stadium later.

“There were a whole lot of things we wanted to improve and move on from South Africa, going into the Georgia game.

“I think we did that, and there is a whole lot of things we want to improve on going again, going from South Africa to Australia. That’s what a lot of the chat has been about, making that improvement in performance.

“We feel if we do that, we will be there or thereabouts come the end of the game.”

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