'It's amazing how much pressure one man can put on an entire team'
Joe Schmidt has not deserted his taskmaster ways even if he has appeared relaxed at the World Cup, insists Jacob Stockdale.
Head coach Schmidt has remained unusually calm in the wake of Ireland’s shock 19-12 loss to Japan that threatened to derail World Cup campaign.
The 54-year-old Kiwi was cracking jokes with Johnny Sexton in front of the media in the immediate aftermath of Ireland’s patchy 35-0 bonus-point win over Russia on Thursday night.
This Japan adventure has seen Schmidt in fine form on public appearances, but Ulster wing Stockdale insisted the notoriously hard-nosed operator is still pushing the players to the limit behind the scenes.
“Whenever we’re training Joe likes to push the intensity and really build it which is obviously class for us as players, you get that intensity that’s almost like a match,” said Stockdale, of Schmidt.
Is there room at the inn for Japan?
There should be.
– writes @alexshawsport #rwc2019 https://t.co/MTaEJ8gAIw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 5, 2019
“It’s amazing how much pressure one man can put on an entire team but it’s brilliant he does. Whenever you’re off he’s a bit more relaxed and you’re able to chill out a bit more, I think he gets a really good balance in his coaching style.”
Johnny Sexton dropped the translation console linked to his headset in the post-match press conference after the Russia win, pulling a worried face as he checked the equipment was not damaged.
Schmidt immediately joked “at least that’s the only thing you’ve dropped all night, Johnny”, in a far more light-hearted moment than he would perhaps have offered in previous years.
Ireland remain frustrated with the high error count from their five-try win over the Russians, but must roll quickly on from Kobe to Fukuoka.
Schmidt’s men now have a nine-day gap between matches, and the head coach has handed his weary players a hugely rare World Cup weekend off.
Ireland do not face Samoa until Saturday, October 12 and that extended gap will allow for a host of hard-worked players to refresh stressed bodies and minds.
"…we needed the support tonight to take confidence…"@IrishRugby head coach Joe Schmidt praises the Irish fans for giving his players a needed confidence boost as they beat Russia at #RWC2019#IREvRUS pic.twitter.com/sALA2wQSCk
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 3, 2019
Japan shocked the globe for the second time in four years with their 19-12 win over Ireland in Shizuoka. The Brave Blossoms conjured a triumph every inch as stunning as their 34-32 win over South Africa in Brighton at the 2015 World Cup.
Japan boss Jamie Joseph insisted his squad had been preparing for the specific challenge of facing Ireland for three years, raising questions on whether the Brave Blossoms have handed others the blueprint for how to shut down Schmidt’s men.
But Stockdale believes it is too facile to suggest that sharp analysis alone would ever be enough for a Test match upset.
Asked if Japan had outlined the framework for a victory over Ireland, Stockdale replied: “I don’t know if it’s as easy as that; there’s a lot more factors there, like a home World Cup and a really passionate crowd.
“I thought the support in the game (generally) was class but there it really was incredible, just so passionate. There’s a lot more than just doing analysis to beat a team. I thought they played well and we didn’t match it.
“That’s the nature of rugby – it’s not just that if you do your analysis you’ll beat somebody.”
Watch: Fans split over red card incident
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments