IRELAND COACH JOE Schmidt is backing his players to recover from the disappointing defeat to Australia this evening, ahead of the visit of New Zealand next weekend.
The Kiwi admitted that his side were beaten in nearly every area of the game by Ewen McKenzie’s men. Defence was once again a problem for Ireland, with holes appearing out wide and in midfield throughout.
However, Schmidt, speaking to RTÉ after the game, pointed out that there was more to this loss than those errors when Ireland didn’t have the ball.
“I think it was more than just the defence. We probably still didn’t kick as well as we needed to. We had to kick under pressure and I thought Israel Folau was very dominant in the air and it didn’t allow us to get any ball back when we were trying to clear from our own area.
We struggled a bit at set piece, turned over out first line-out, turned over another one when we had an opportunity to drive at the line and maybe get back into the game. I felt that just before half time that we’d fought our way back into the game.
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“A couple of tries where the defending wasn’t good enough, but at 15-3 we fought back to 15-12. After half time, losing Jonny didn’t help. It just gives us that organisation. Having said that, it’s valuable experience for Ian Madigan. I thought he fought really hard in the position he was put into.
“Unfortunately, the result is what it is and the Australians deserved it.”
Jonny Sexton pulled up with that injury seconds before the half time whistle and failed to reappear after the break, with Madigan taking his place. Schmidt says he is not yet sure of the severity of the problem.
“Yeah it is a hamstring injury and I’m not sure what grade of injury it is at the moment, but we’ll find that out over the next 48 hours.”
Rob Kearney was also helped off the pitch, but Schmidt feels that the fullback will be available next weekend.
I think Rob is ok. I think he was a little bit winded there and he’s a bit tender in the ribs. But I’m hopeful that he’ll be ok. I think at that stage we were being more precautionary than to leave him out there and put him at risk of another knock.”
Next up for Ireland is the best team in the world, with the All Blacks arriving in Ireland off the back of victories over Japan, France and England.
“Again, we know how good they are. We knew how good the Australians were. All we can do is prepare as best we can. That will start with trying to recover from this game for the next 48 hours, then trying to get together, have another look at what we need to improve upon and then try to forge ahead from there.
“Yeah, it’s going to be a very tough ask. But there’s a fair bit of character in this side and hopefully they come back and keep the supporters interested next week.”
Joe Schmidt: 'There's a fair bit of character in this side'
IRELAND COACH JOE Schmidt is backing his players to recover from the disappointing defeat to Australia this evening, ahead of the visit of New Zealand next weekend.
The Kiwi admitted that his side were beaten in nearly every area of the game by Ewen McKenzie’s men. Defence was once again a problem for Ireland, with holes appearing out wide and in midfield throughout.
However, Schmidt, speaking to RTÉ after the game, pointed out that there was more to this loss than those errors when Ireland didn’t have the ball.
“I think it was more than just the defence. We probably still didn’t kick as well as we needed to. We had to kick under pressure and I thought Israel Folau was very dominant in the air and it didn’t allow us to get any ball back when we were trying to clear from our own area.
“A couple of tries where the defending wasn’t good enough, but at 15-3 we fought back to 15-12. After half time, losing Jonny didn’t help. It just gives us that organisation. Having said that, it’s valuable experience for Ian Madigan. I thought he fought really hard in the position he was put into.
“Unfortunately, the result is what it is and the Australians deserved it.”
Schmidt admitted that his side were second best. ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan.
Jonny Sexton pulled up with that injury seconds before the half time whistle and failed to reappear after the break, with Madigan taking his place. Schmidt says he is not yet sure of the severity of the problem.
“Yeah it is a hamstring injury and I’m not sure what grade of injury it is at the moment, but we’ll find that out over the next 48 hours.”
Rob Kearney was also helped off the pitch, but Schmidt feels that the fullback will be available next weekend.
Next up for Ireland is the best team in the world, with the All Blacks arriving in Ireland off the back of victories over Japan, France and England.
“Again, we know how good they are. We knew how good the Australians were. All we can do is prepare as best we can. That will start with trying to recover from this game for the next 48 hours, then trying to get together, have another look at what we need to improve upon and then try to forge ahead from there.
“Yeah, it’s going to be a very tough ask. But there’s a fair bit of character in this side and hopefully they come back and keep the supporters interested next week.”
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