skip to main content

Schmidt keeping cards close to chest ahead of All Black rematch

Joe Schmidt admitted it was a mixed performance from Ireland
Joe Schmidt admitted it was a mixed performance from Ireland

Ireland manager Joe Schmidt is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of next weekend's meeting with New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.

Speaking after an experimental Irish side recorded a comfortable 52-21 win over Canada, the New Zealand native said he'd have to look back at the game footage before deciding if anyone would break into the XV for next Saturday.

Having seen his side record a first-ever win over the All Blacks in Chicago last weekend, Schmidt made fifteen changes for the Canadian clash, with some players taking the opportunity to stake a claim for a more regular starting role.

"There’s a few guys out there who did quite well," Schmidt said.

"It was good to get some of the experienced guys some minutes and at the same time some of the younger guys impressed.

"I'll have a look at the footage and that’ll give me a better indication along with the other coaches and we’ll get together and have a look at training."

The manager admitted that it was a mixed performance from his side.

"It was good and bad really. There was some really good patches and it was good to see those players out there, but at the same time there was some messy patches and I think the error count stacked up."

With a completely changed side, Schmidt admitted that errors were expected to some extent.

"We knew that Canada would put pressure on us and we probably weren't as cohesive as we'd have liked to have been after a couple of trainings."

Ireland started sharply, running in two tries at the start before allowing the Canadians back into the game, with the game level at 14-14 approaching the interval.

However, the manner in which the side responded pleased Schmidt, who said "it was great to see them keep their cool and build back their lead."

Read Next