By Gavin Spillane
With the rugby world still revelling in Ireland’s 40-29 victory over the All Blacks, Sky Sports pundit Stuart Barnes is the latest to pay tribute to Joe Schmidt, labelling him “the best coach” in the northern hemisphere following Ireland’s historic win at Soldier Field.
The former Bath out-half praised Schmidt for masterminding the “greatest 80 minutes of Irish international rugby”, and noted in his weekly column for Sky Sports that Ireland are now serious contenders for the World Cup in 2019 with the Kiwi leading the charge.
“In Schmidt, Ireland have the perfect man to make them into the World Cup contenders they flattered to be last time around. Well ahead of Tokyo is a rematch with New Zealand in less than a fortnight, a Six Nations where England suddenly look anything but nailed on certainties and, of course, the Lions tour.”
Barnes noted however that the 51-year-old’s attention to detail ruled him out as head coach for the Lions tour of New Zealand next summer, stating that the brevity of the prestigious tour wouldn’t match up with the volume of detail that Schmidt imparts on his players.
“He’s the best coach in this hemisphere and has been by a distance for some but the ad hoc nature of the Lions isn’t the right fit for the detailed and brilliant Schmidt as a head coach.
“This (Ireland’s performance) wasn’t a performance produced off the back of a few weeks’ preparation. There is a huge amount of detail needs taking in when you become a part of the Schmidt team. That is fine when a coach has a long-term contract and the capacity to control individuals as Schmidt does.”
Barnes believes that Ireland’s defence coach Andy Farrell , however, is the right man for the Lions coaching ticket that plans to topple the All Blacks next summer.
“Andy Farrell, in stark contrast, can prepare a team in a short space of time.” Barnes wrote.
“Farrell has beaten the All Blacks with both Ireland and England and has a successful CV against the (woeful) Wallabies in 2013. It looks to be a shoot-out between Farrell, the former England defence coach and the current England one, Paul Gustard. Given Farrell’s proven record against New Zealand and his Lions experience, any other choice would be a substantial shock.”
“The Irish win will have an impact on the tour, even though it remains a long way away. Warren Gatland has said he doesn’t want anyone who doesn’t believe they can beat New Zealand having a seat on the Lions plane. Suddenly there are a whole lot of Irishmen who can put their hands up and say, `pick me, I’m not afraid of them.’ It is a psychological boost for the hemisphere.”
