All Blacks assistant coach Joe Schmidt has emerged as a potential secret weapon for the three-time world champions if they face Ireland in a possible quarter-final at this year’s Rugby World Cup in France.

Ireland’s win over South Africa last weekend means they are set to finish in first place in Pool B and are on course to meet the All Blacks, who are likely to finish second in Pool A after their defeat to World Cup hosts France in the tournament opener.

58-year-old Schmidt has been part of the All Blacks‘ coaching staff for more than a year after answering their SOS ahead of their three-Test series against Ireland in New Zealand in 2022.

The New Zealander is of course renowned for his stint as Ireland’s head coach between 2013 and 2019 when, under his guidance, the men from the Emerald Isle won 55 out of 77 Tests and suffered a meagre 21 losses and registered one draw.

During that time Ireland won three Six Nations titles, one Grand Slam and guided the Irish to their first victory over the All Blacks in 2016 – a feat they repeated in 2018 as well.

Ireland have improved considerably since Schmidt stepped down from his position as head coach following a 46-14 loss to New Zealand in the quarter-finals of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Under the guidance of his successor, Andy Farrell, the Irish are currently on a 16-match winning streak and are the number one ranked team in the world but there is no doubt that Schmidt laid the groundwork to the team’s current success.

If Ireland and New Zealand are to face off in the quarter-finals, the Irish will be favourites as they have been victorious in three of the four matches played against the All Blacks since the 2019 World Cup.

New Zealand’s only win came in the first game of that three-Test series when Schmidt stood in for All Blacks head coach Ian Foster, who was battling Covid-19 at the time.

Since then, Schmidt has been one of Foster’s assistants and his work as the team’s attack coach has helped them to win 12 out of 15 Tests played during that period.

If New Zealand are to meet Ireland in the quarter-final, Schmidt’s inside knowledge of the Irish is sure to play a big part in plotting his former team’s downfall.

Source: Planet Rugby