Joe Schmidt Ireland Q&A

Going to a Q&A with Joe Schmidt tonight. Can anyone recommend any sensible questions?

How are players deemed worthy of a central contral? For example, would image rights of players have a bearing on who gets one? Are these players treated anyway differently than those not on them with regard to selection?

If you had to pick a Lions XV today, what would it be?

Sin é wrote:How are players deemed worthy of a central contral? For example, would image rights of players have a bearing on who gets one? Are these players treated anyway differently than those not on them with regard to selection?

Thats a good one. Why would image rights have a bearing on this? Can you expand on that?

Yea firstly ask him why Munster get a bigger quota of starting players than Ulster do?

Secondly to cop on and stop pretending he doesn't know McCloskey is a better player than Robbie Henshaw - we all know the issue is his stupid haircut (and the Ulster quota).

Finally ask him how he keeps a straight face around Farrell knowing he's got to work under that numpty Gatland all summer.

rodders wrote:Yea firstly ask him why Munster get a bigger quota of starting players than Ulster do?

Secondly to cop on and stop pretending he doesn't know McCloskey is a better player than Robbie Henshaw - we all know the issue is his stupid haircut (and the Ulster quota).

Finally ask him how he keeps a straight face around Farrell knowing he's got to work under that numpty Gatland all summer.

haha. Id love to ask some of those questions rodders.

Ask him how many swear words he used at Gatland when he was offered a role as his assistant

Ask how is the bus driver coping with all the guilt of the loss against Scotland being solely his fault

Ask him is it's his role to just pick what he believes to be the best players in each position and allow them to play things on their own instinct - or is it his role to pick the best overall players that he sees there but to also modify their style to suit the team more.
If he picks the latter answer then ask him why Murray keeps attacking games with such methodical slowness when releasing attack minded players earlier might take a load off our always overworked forwards.

munkian wrote:Ask how is the bus driver coping with all the guilt of the loss against Scotland being solely his fault

Are you actually suggesting the bus driver used 1st gear all the way on purpose?

That's low, munk - even for you.

SecretFly wrote:

munkian wrote:Ask how is the bus driver coping with all the guilt of the loss against Scotland being solely his fault

Are you actually suggesting the bus driver used 1st gear all the way on purpose?

That's low, munk - even for you.

I yeard he was a Kiwi, treacherous lot

munkian wrote:

SecretFly wrote:

munkian wrote:Ask how is the bus driver coping with all the guilt of the loss against Scotland being solely his fault

Are you actually suggesting the bus driver used 1st gear all the way on purpose?

That's low, munk - even for you.

I yeard he was a Kiwi, treacherous lot

Only Kiwi in Wales that I know of is Warre....................................................

Warren! The basterde! Trying to fiddle the 6N results to get us off the Lions team again.

munkian wrote:Ask how is the bus driver coping with all the guilt of the loss against Scotland being solely his fault

Haha I like this.

Ask him if he agrees with Neil Francis that Ireland lost to an far inferior side last weekend.

Shoot, Eff, or Marry:

Gatland, Eddie Jones, and Cotter.

Cyril wrote:Ask him if he agrees with Neil Francis that Ireland lost to an far inferior side last weekend.

It's a trick question, don't answer Joe! Cyril is after your job!

Cyril wrote:Ask him if he agrees with Neil Francis that Ireland lost to an far inferior side last weekend.

Did Neil Francis actually say that?

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

Cyril wrote:Ask him if he agrees with Neil Francis that Ireland lost to an far inferior side last weekend.

Did Neil Francis actually say that?

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/neil-francis-losing-to-an-inferior-side-will-really-hurt-joe-schmidt-and-ireland-35424025.html

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

Cyril wrote:Ask him if he agrees with Neil Francis that Ireland lost to an far inferior side last weekend.

Did Neil Francis actually say that?

"Ireland, despite their failings yesterday, are a far superior side to Scotland and this result will really hurt because it was there for them."


http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/neil-francis-losing-to-an-inferior-side-will-really-hurt-joe-schmidt-and-ireland-35424025.html

Haha. He is such a sh1t stirrer. No doubt people up and down Britain and the colonies will be whinging about the Irish media and how they are all baddies.

Cyril wrote:Ask him if he agrees with Neil Francis that Ireland lost to an far inferior side last weekend.

Neil is right. Sure isn't he using your own official ranking system. Last time Scotland beat Ireland was 2013, I think. They have to be inferior by your definition over on yonder other thread.

SecretFly wrote:

Cyril wrote:Ask him if he agrees with Neil Francis that Ireland lost to an far inferior side last weekend.

Neil is right.  Sure isn't he using your own official ranking system.  Last time Scotland beat Ireland was 2013, I think.  They have to be inferior by your definition over on yonder other thread.

If he's using my system then he must be right.

Bang on the button again, Mr Francis

He didnt answer any of my questions as there was a really good sized crowd there. We were all invited into the presidents suite where we were served a nice meal and then Schmidt, Feek, Heaslip and Luke mcGrath addressed the crowd.

One thing that came across immediately was how good Schmidt is at public speaking. He was very witty and was able to diffuse almost any difficult question with a good humoured witty response. He took the piss out of all three of the guys on stage with him and even a dad in the front row who spilled his beer. Schmidt remarked that if his son should grow up to have better hands than him he should play rugby or something along those lines.

when questions were opened to the floor a lady near the front asked:

"Shane Horgan speaking on second captains said that Selecting Tommy Bowe for the squad was a nostalgia pick, how do you respond to that?"

Schmidt responded that he selected Bowe because he is really good in the air and all the ladies love him. He then encouraged her to admit that she only started to pay attention to the game when he came on. He said that Horgan himself was a similar player in that he was also really good in the air and that he loved himself. The banter flowed.

Luke McGrath struggled through the questions he was asked in his first media event, possibly down to nerves possibly down to being referred to as ferret by the unflappable and slightly irritating Heaslip to his right at every opportunity.

All in all it was a good event and typically well organised. As prompt and efficient as a Japanese Shinkansen. At the end the posed for photos, signed autographs before being whisked away to a camp session with the whole squad before they fly out today.

So was this a Q&A or a sportsman's dinner?

tigertattie wrote:So was this a Q&A or a sportsman's dinner?

It was a Q&A but there was also a meal for anyone who attended and a bar. It was for members of the supporters club to reward the fans.

Question for the Irish guys...

Did any of you watch 'Clubhouse' on TV3 Tuesday night at 10.30pm?

No what was it about?

The weekend's rugby. A couple of us were interviewed at MF for it but I can't watch it in the UK

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:The weekend's rugby. A couple of us were interviewed at MF for it but I can't watch it in the UK

Oh cool. Just watch it on the 3 player. Use mozilla for your browser and download the Hola plugin. Once the plugin is added to your browser turn it on on the toolbar then it should automatically switch you to an Irish IP and let you watch it. If it doesnt switch ti an Irish IP just click on the plugin and switch to an Irish IP manually.

Great stuff Guns, cheers for that

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Great stuff Guns, cheers for that

Ceart go leor

Did you see the Italian coach there? I think he guessed behind the scenes as cook for the night.

Would loved to have asked if there is any chance we could ever see CJ at 8 for Ireland.

petethepete wrote:Would loved to have asked if there is any chance we could ever see CJ at 8 for Ireland.

You could have asked Jamie Heaslip that question.

petethepete wrote:Would loved to have asked if there is any chance we could ever see CJ at 8 for Ireland.

Heaslip: Over Joe's dead body.

Joe: *Uneasy gulp* Next question.

All fully fit would love to see:

6:POM
7:SOB
8: CJ

And that's not a dig at Heaslip, I do also rate him! Just think CJ's form for Munster at 8 this year has been outstanding.

If Billy V is out for the Lions, think CJ will be strongly considered at 8 having never played there internationally.

Our problems are in the backs though. How about major changes there. We had a combination of old-school and medium-age school. Time for youth to be given a real shot.

SecretFly wrote:Our problems are in the backs though.  How about major changes there.  We had a combination of old-school and medium-age school.  Time for youth to be given a real shot.

I dont think it is necessarily the backs that need to be changed (maybe some) but rather how we approach our attack. We are too predictable and don't take enough risks.

One guy asked Schmidt why he doesnt select on form over experience citing the form of Rory O'Loughlin and Adam Byrne on the Leinster wings. Schmidt responded with an anicdote about an 18 year old Auckland player who was called up to the NZ team when Schmidt worked with Auckland.

That player dazzled everyone in training and as a result was selected in a NZ touring squad. however, as the tour went on the player suffered from home sickness and lack of confidence as the pressure and expectations of the team wore heavily on his shoulders. According the Schmidt it took that player about 2 years to recover.

He went on to say that it is his policy to ease young players into the environment and the squad and then the team over time. It is all very carefully managed. He said that he speaks regularly to O'Loughlin and Byrne and tells them what to work on. Schmidt claimed that he sees O'Loughlin as more of a 13 than a winger and his future should eventually be in that position.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:Our problems are in the backs though.  How about major changes there.  We had a combination of old-school and medium-age school.  Time for youth to be given a real shot.

I dont think it is necessarily the backs that need to be changed (maybe some) but rather how we approach our attack. We are too predictable and don't take enough risks.

We need young, we need genuine pace (even Zebo, our supposed flier now looks like he's carrying too much weight), we need the exuberance of youthful ambition, we need trickery with the legs to carry it off - in brief, we need our backs to be backs (not always pseudo-forwards).

SecretFly wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:Our problems are in the backs though.  How about major changes there.  We had a combination of old-school and medium-age school.  Time for youth to be given a real shot.

I dont think it is necessarily the backs that need to be changed (maybe some) but rather how we approach our attack. We are too predictable and don't take enough risks.

We need young, we need genuine pace (even Zebo, our supposed flier now looks like he's carrying too much weight), we need the exuberance of youthful ambition, we need trickery with the legs to carry it off - in brief, we need our backs to be backs (not always pseudo-forwards).

I noticed this about Zebo too. At one point against Scotland, think it was in the first half the ball broke down and Zebo hoofed it up field and gave chase, I was abit shocked at the ease at which the Scottish back beat him to the ball. Said to my friend we were in trouble if Zebo was our quickest player!

GunsGermsV2 wrote:One guy asked Schmidt why he doesnt select on form over experience citing the form of Rory O'Loughlin and Adam Byrne on the Leinster wings. Schmidt responded with an anicdote about an 18 year old Auckland player who was called up to the NZ team when Schmidt worked with Auckland.

That player dazzled everyone in training and as a result was selected in a NZ touring squad. however, as the tour went on the player suffered from home sickness and lack of confidence as the pressure and expectations of the team wore heavily on his shoulders. According the Schmidt it took that player about 2 years to recover.

He went on to say that it is his policy to ease young players into the environment and the squad and then the team over time. It is all very carefully managed. He said that he speaks regularly to O'Loughlin and Byrne and tells them what to work on. Schmidt claimed that he sees O'Loughlin as more of a 13 than a winger and his future should eventually be in that position.

Wonder if he's talking about Isaia Toeava .. timeline fits I think

He didnt say but Id say you are right.

Ireland don't do sprinters, yet some still wonder why they've never taken Sevens seriously!

SecretFly wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

SecretFly wrote:Our problems are in the backs though.  How about major changes there.  We had a combination of old-school and medium-age school.  Time for youth to be given a real shot.

I dont think it is necessarily the backs that need to be changed (maybe some) but rather how we approach our attack. We are too predictable and don't take enough risks.

We need young, we need genuine pace (even Zebo, our supposed flier now looks like he's carrying too much weight), we need the exuberance of youthful ambition, we need trickery with the legs to carry it off - in brief, we need our backs to be backs (not always pseudo-forwards).

You can have Hogg for £107,000,000

The Great Aukster wrote:Ireland don't do sprinters, yet some still wonder why they've never taken Sevens seriously!

Sevens is folly. Its a waste of time and resources. it doesnt add any value to rugby in Ireland so they dont bother with it.

The Great Aukster wrote:Ireland don't do sprinters, yet some still wonder why they've never taken Sevens seriously!

I'd turn that observation on its head and say now we might see why taking Sevens more seriously might actually add a few genuine sprinters. Sprinter Do work in the 15 man game. They're not a luxury, they're a real asset.... if appreciated and if the gameplan gives method to their more spurting instincts. So even without the need to even mention the Sevens game, I can't understand this continuing casual aversion/disinterest/shrug-of-the-shoulder to the argument. Are we still trapped in the old Kidney philosophy that Ireland have their own style and won't be too pushed by any external influences to change it?

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:Ireland don't do sprinters, yet some still wonder why they've never taken Sevens seriously!

Sevens is folly. Its a waste of time and resources. it doesnt add any value to rugby in Ireland so they dont bother with it.

Other demands on time and resources such as the Lions don't add any value to rugby in Ireland yet are tolerated, so how is that "value to rugby" assessed and by whom?

The Great Aukster wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:Ireland don't do sprinters, yet some still wonder why they've never taken Sevens seriously!

Sevens is folly. Its a waste of time and resources. it doesnt add any value to rugby in Ireland so they dont bother with it.

Other demands on time and resources such as the Lions don't add any value to rugby in Ireland yet are tolerated, so how is that "value to rugby" assessed and by whom?

I dont think the Lions costs the IRFU anything. It is funded by sponsors as far as I know. Seven's isnt profit making anywhere. In NZ they are thinking of scrapping the Wellington Sevens as no one goes to it.

You might lose players to the Lions but at least the benefit of representing the Lions to those players is tangable.

Its a load of ballacks if you ask me.

The Great Aukster wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

The Great Aukster wrote:Ireland don't do sprinters, yet some still wonder why they've never taken Sevens seriously!

Sevens is folly. Its a waste of time and resources. it doesnt add any value to rugby in Ireland so they dont bother with it.

Other demands on time and resources such as the Lions don't add any value to rugby in Ireland yet are tolerated, so how is that "value to rugby" assessed and by whom?

Sevens is an official threat to lopers. The IRFU have a policy to protect lopers from extinction.