Irish coach has strong ties to Tauranga

Joe Schmidt coached the 2001 Tauranga Boys’ College First XV.

Joe Schmidt would prefer not to be the center of attention.

But when you have masterminded Ireland's only two victories over the All Blacks - in 2016 in Chicago and Sunday morning's thriller in Dublin – the rugby world's focus is on the slightly built Kiwi with the Midas touch when it comes to coaching rugby teams.

But for a dropped ball with the line open in last year's game in Dublin, and a last minute converted try by the All Blacks in 2013, Schmidt may well have mentored Ireland's finest to four consecutive victories over the All Blacks.

The 53-year old father of four first made his name at Tauranga Boys' College, then as assistant to Vern Cotter with the Bay of Plenty Steamers in 2003 and 2004, highlighted by winning the Ranfurly Shield for the first and only time.

Schmidt moved up to the Blues in Auckland, then to France and Irish province Leinster before landing the Ireland job in 2013. Ireland have won three Six Nations Championships in five years under his leadership.

His systematic approach to the game was apparent at Tauranga Boys' where he was Deputy Principal. His 2001 team contained two future All Blacks in Tanerau Latimer and Jarrod Hoeata.

College principal Robert Mangan is a friend and former colleague of Schmidt.

"Joe coached the First XV in 2000 to 2002 and was a great guy, very personable. Even at First XV level he was very detailed in his planning," Mangan says.

"I remember a very detailed sort of game plan in terms of moves that he expected the boys to learn. He would have had 10 pages of documentation and game plan strategy that he shared.

"He was very analytical, really hard working, did his homework and really engaged with the boys. They could understand his passion and enthusiasm for the game.

"He has been a real student of the game and you can see in how he found the best strategy to beat the All Blacks."

Schmidt brings a superior intellect, work ethic and tactical knowledge of the game that could put him at the forefront of potential candidates when All Blacks coach Steve Hansen decides to step down.

Comments attributed to Hansen indicate that may be after next year's Rugby World Cup in Japan. He will announce his plans after the All Blacks return home following the final international of the year against Italy this weekend.

NZ Rugby has preferred their All Blacks coaches to work in New Zealand before making the step up to the most sought after coaching roles in world rugby.

But Schmidt's remarkable record with Ireland might make his claims to the top job inevitable. Perhaps winning the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year would settle the deal.

If he does become the All Blacks coach, expect a superior open personality to dealing with the media and the same attention to detail and care for his players that began coaching schoolboys at Nicholson Field.

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