‘Genuine love for the man’: Apprentice lauds master ahead of Lions showdown

In a country known for its relaxed attitude toward even the most famous of figures, Joe Schmidt’s return to Ireland as the Wallabies’ head coach has been anything but understated.

Schmidt has drawn packed press galleries in Dublin and well-wishers to training, not just because of his telling contribution to rugby in Ireland but also for his keenly anticipated coaching clash with former assistant and future British and Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell.

Wallabies veteran James Slipper and his teammates have been based in a quiet suburb far from the Dublin crowds, but the prop is still fully aware of the buzz that has come with his coach’s return to his former home.

“Joe’s like a superstar here, that’s what I feel like now, wherever he goes, the one thing I’ve noticed, he gets a lot of support, like there’s a genuine love for the man in Ireland, and goes to show what sort of coach and what sort of person he is,” Slipper said.

Schmidt’s time has been filled with a full training load ahead of a crucial last Test of the year, but he has taken the time to meet with friends and former colleagues from the extensive network of rugby clubs in Dublin.

Schmidt’s legacy of intense detail and analysis is now found across the Irish rugby pipeline, from its schools and clubs to the national team.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell will lead the Lions in Australia in 2025.Credit: Getty

His former assistant Farrell hopes to catch up with Schmidt for a coffee either side of Saturday’s Test and has been pleased to see the Irish public and media’s response to the New Zealander’s arrival in Dublin.

“I love it, it’s a great story, isn’t it? Joe deserves all the accolades and probably more so when he comes back to Ireland because what he did for Irish rugby, not just here at the IRFU but over the road there at the RDS [with Leinster], was phenomenal,” Farrell said.

“He’s the most successful coach in Irish rugby when you look at his time overall in Dublin, we’ve got a lot to thank him about and I think it’s a nice story that we get to celebrate this game alongside him.”

For all the warm welcome that Schmidt has received, he is also aware of the challenge that awaits.

Joe Schmidt at Wallabies training in Dublin this week.Credit: Sportsfile via Getty Images

Farrell has built a team in his own style, with the game-breaking ability of Sam Prendergast at five-eighth set against the ruthless determination of his back row trio of captain Caelan Doris, Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier.

Ireland have been frustrated in November, losing against New Zealand and performing far beneath their normal standards in their win over Argentina. The Wallabies represent a significant opportunity to finish their own year on a high.

Schmidt mentored many of the current Irish squad, giving the Wallabies both an advantage in terms of insight and a brutal first-hand account of how difficult Saturday’s Test will be to win.

“Yeah there will be apprehension because I have that every week, I even have it before training: ‘jeez, I hope we don’t break someone today, I hope the boys get some confidence and some rhythm here today’.”

“I try to be pretty transactional, pretty pragmatic on game day, but there’ll be some emotion in it for me, for sure,” Schmidt said.

In the short term, the Wallabies would love a victory against one of the world’s best sides. But Schmidt is working with a longer view. He understands that the majority of next year’s British and Irish Lions squad will come from Ireland’s shores. A significant performance by the Wallabies on Saturday will set up the series perfectly ahead of next year.

Tane Edmed has been chosen as Schmidt’s final debutant of the year, marking the 19th player to put on the Wallabies’ jersey for the first time.

Schmidt wanted to build both a competitive team for Saturday and a broader squad taking on the best players from four nations. The countdown to the series starts now, and Schmidt has already got started in his tactical battle against Farrell.

“I just think with the Wallabies, we wanted to try to really grow the group this year, galvanise the group as well, so that we can be as competitive as we can next season,” Schmidt said. “And I honestly believe that it will be a fantastic occasion next year.

“And I know that Faz [Farrell] and I were having a coffee in May, we talked about hoping that it [the Lions series] would be the right sort of spectacle.

“So I think both coaches are committed to it and I think both teams will be committed to that as well.”