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Andy Farrell explains what working with Joe Schmidt was really like
By PA
Ireland boss Andy Farrell has explained it was a “privilege” to be given the chance to revive his coaching career under Joe Schmidt ahead of their hotly anticipated reunion in Dublin. The pair are poised to go head to head when the Six Nations champions take on Schmidt’s Australia in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series finale at the Aviva Stadium.
Having been let go by his native England following their dismal home World Cup in 2015, Farrell became assistant to Schmidt in the Ireland set-up in 2016 before succeeding him in the top job after Rugby World Cup 2019.
The 49-year-old regards his three-and-a-half-year spell working under the New Zealander as “invaluable” and believes his former mentor had a “phenomenal” impact on Irish rugby. “Firstly, I’m very grateful for that opportunity from Joe and (former Irish Rugby Football Union performance director) David Nucifora bringing me over here,” said Farrell.
“On top of that, that experience that I have gained under Joe, seeing how he does it on the inside is invaluable… not just to me, but to everyone who has coached by him. That’s a privilege. When he comes back to these shores he should be celebrated for everything that he has done to Irish rugby.”
Schmidt, who coached Leinster between 2010 and 2013 before taking over the national team, led Ireland to three Six Nations titles and a historic first win over the All Blacks. This weekend’s match has been arranged as part of celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of Ireland’s first international.
Farrell continued: “It’s a great story, isn’t it? Joe deserves all the accolades and probably more so because what he did for Irish rugby, not just here at the IRFU but over the road there at the RDS (Arena, Leinster’s home ground), was phenomenal.
“He is the most successful coach in Irish rugby when you look at his time overall in Dublin. We have got a lot to thank him about and it’s a nice story that we get to celebrate this game alongside him.”
Ireland are bidding to end the month with three wins from four outings after bouncing back from a 23-13 defeat by New Zealand by beating Argentina 22-19 and Fiji 52-17. Farrell has made five personnel changes to his starting XV, while 21-year-old Sam Prendergast has been retained at fly-half – in preference to Jack Crowley – after making his first Test start in the success over the Flying Fijians.
Asked about the decision to keep Prendergast in the number 10 jersey and select Crowley on the bench ahead of Ciaran Frawley, Farrell said: “A couple of things. He [Prendergast] deserves it. I thought he played pretty well (against Fiji).
“He has trained pretty well over the course of this autumn series as well, so there is another chance there to lead the week and grow in that manner. Obviously the opportunity to play in a big game along with a good side behind him.
“Jack has played very well for us for a good while now, played in a lot of big games as well. So we know as far as that is concerned what we have got, although there is a lot of improving to be had and to be seen with Jack and Ciaran Frawley.”
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Latest Comments
That could be the reason, the argument though is that his Lions replacement isn't going to be as good as if he had Faf come back to the Lions and impart all that he had learned (Faf not a great example of the eligibility rule because he can just return home when he becomes international standard).
So we might need a bit more detail around Faf's career (he continued to be wild from his matchs in RC so can't judge his progression by the Lions/Sharks change) but how did his understudy go? I assume Faf was first choice at the Lions? Was the development of the next 9 hindered by not having the pro their to guide him or did the extra gametime help his development more? And did Faf then return, or was his increased experience levels completely lost of the next 9 (who came through in say 3 years time) coming through in the Lions?
As a great anecdote to your example, Brad Weber of the title winning Chiefs sad that during his first season he'd done more box kicking that year than what all the players combined at the Cheifs would have done throughout his whole career. No doubt, we can assume he is a much better box kicker now (lol), that should be a good advantage if he was to return it can allow alternate ways of playing. The Chiefs are not really a team where that is likely to be advantageous however, what could change their though if is NZ started to have a more fluid contracting environment all round. Weber could be a very good signing for a 10 man team like the Blues were this year under Vern Cotter, and that signing wouldn't happen unless NZ changes its mindset, with one key aspect being that he could have continued his involvement with NZ (the XV's etc) teams while in France.
Currently though the climate is that he'd never not return to the Chiefs if he came back, so there is zero chance of taking advantage of the sort of scenario you provide.
But on the flip side, we also have to ask ourselves "what negative impact was there from contracting Aaron Smith to NZ"? Trying to retain Aaron would no doubt have cost a lot of money. This investment put into one player, and then a second in TJP who arguably retained as much upside in keeping, no doubt meant that they wanted to get as much out of it, playing him as much as possible and having him as the 'pin up' boy. Does this greatly reduce the chance for other players, like Tawera kerr-Barlow, to continue with NZ and reach their potential? Does being so desperate to keep one mean that another is always lost in return?
Go to commentsThere wouldn't be many Australians who think Eddie Jones should be able to keep his Australian citizenship. He's a traitor.
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