If there are still some All Black supporters out there who are sticking their fingers in their ears, and singing ‘la-la-la’ about the central influence of Joe Schmidt to the last World Cup, they should shut up. At least, for long enough to listen to the wise words of veteran rake Dane Coles, who was a part of the playing squad.
“If he wasn’t there, I don’t reckon we would have gotten into a final without him,” Coles said.
“He was big on our attack, our breakdown. He is real passionate and intense when he talks, and in his delivery. It just makes you not want to let him down. He calls out people, [he] puts you on the spot.
“He’s a real intense character when he is coaching and it was probably something we needed when he came in.”
There you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth. Schmidt is a priceless commodity in the global rugby economy: a top coach who has operated at the highest level in both hemispheres, like Sir Graham Henry and Sir Steve Hansen before him.
Drawing knowledge from across the globe in a lively, seasoned rugby intellect is what made all the difference to the Kiwi World Cup campaign. The All Blacks might not have won ‘Bill’ for a fourth time in their history, but they darn well made sure they put themselves in a position to do it, even with 14 men for most of the final against South Africa. That is all that can be asked of a coach.
Without Schmidt, wise heads in the elite coaching community knew Ireland would beat New Zealand in the Test series in 2022. With Schmidt, they understood the men in green would find life much, much harder one year later.
With Schmidt by turns teaching, coaxing and roasting New Zealand players towards the performance peaks of which they are capable, accomplishment in the two areas Coles noted – attack and the breakdown – took some huge leaps forward in the space of 15 months.
Schmidt is now sitting across the Tasman as head coach of Australia, and Coles was as wary of his impact with the All Blacks’ traditional rivals as he was enthusiastic about his effect on New Zealand.
The players were shells of themselves last year, and now they are playing to their full potential.
“When you have a guy in the All Black environment heading over, it’s kind of a kick in the guts.
“But I would rather see him coach as he still has a lot to give and is a great coach, so it’s good to see him put his hand up.
“With Australia not doing too well at the World Cup, international rugby needs Aussie to be stronger, like they were.
“If he can do that – and I am sure he will get that team up to scratch – it will be awesome.”
The knowledge and leadership Schmidt brings will find a ready echo in Super Rugby Pacific, in the shape of Queensland’s Les Kiss. Like Schmidt, Kiss has ‘been there and done that’, he has coached in South Africa, in Ireland and in England and been successful, and he is a treasure trove of cutting-edge knowledge about how elite rugby is played. What Schmidt does with his Wallabies, Kiss will reinforce at the Reds, and Australian rugby as a whole will begin to move forward once again.
After the opening round 40-22 win at Suncorp over interstate rivals New South Wales, Queensland scrum-half Tate McDermott spoke effusively about his new boss.
“[Playing for Les Kiss] is just so enjoyable.
“What Les has done is given these guys confidence. We have come off the back of some pretty poor years. They were shells of themselves last year, and [now] they are playing to their full potential.
“We’re not quite where we need to be at the moment, but that’s a bloody good start – and we’ll take that any day of the week against a good outfit.”
The area of the team that will improve most immediately in any Schmidt or Kiss-coached side is the middle five – the back-row and half-backs. The new man at Ballymore will demand a lot of quick-build rucks [93 against the Waratahs] with a high ratio of 1-3 second lightning-quick ball [68% versus NSW]. McDermott will have to clean up his act at the base and whoever the 10 turns out to be [Tom Lynagh in the first round] will have to play flat, on top of the defence. The back-rowers will be asked to run and pass and show good feet before contact.
At Suncorp, the pair of Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson ran for the most metres of any forwards on either side [74m combined] with two tackle busts, five offloads, one try assist and one try between them. They made 20 of 21 attempted tackles and two breakdown pilfers. Heavens, Wilson was even trusted to win a ball at the back of a lineout!
Their good work began at the coal face. If Queensland wanted to kick for touch in the red zone rather than three points, their 5m lineout drive had to function, which in turn meant NSW’s outstanding maul defender Jed Holloway had to be kept away from the ball.
Wilson and McReight are in the second tier of the drive after the take by Seru Uru, and their job is to become the engine of the maul, moving it towards the goal line while sealing Holloway away from the ball. In the event, the pair – with a liberal dose of help from Ryan Smith – are successful, and Holloway gets his big mitts on the ball-carrier [Matt Faessler] only half a metre from the line, when it is all too late. The story was much the same for Queensland’s second maul try in the 52nd minute.
The use of Wilson’s ball-carrying ability is also likely to be more effective under the new regime.
Reds fans, get used to this picture in 2024. Josh Flook is the second playmaker from lineout, with Hunter Paisami out the back and Wilson in front. The idea is to inject Wilson in between two defending backs rather than run him straight into forwards; recognising the essential fact that despite his size, he has always been a natural hole-runner, rather than a pure power forward like Bobby Valetini.
One thing Kiss will emphatically not be doing is imprisoning Wilson solely in the role of battering ram.
There were already plenty of signs the Reds’ back-row were meshing very well indeed on attack, as their roles clarify under Kiss.
In the first clip, the third back-rower [Liam Wright] has been added to one of the tight forward carrying pods inside, and that frees up Wilson and McReight to make play off the second or third receiver in the channels further out.
In the second sequence, McReight and Wilson are initially supporting Wright in shouldering the carrying load straight up the middle, before shifting into the wide right 15-5m zone after the hard work has been done.
When Wilson produced a bit of magic off the back of the scrum to launch McDermott over for the Reds’ fifth try, it was nothing more than just desserts for Queensland’s middle five, the cherry on top of a cake well baked.
The presence of Kiss and new set of coaches is likely to relaunch the Wallaby career of Wilson, cement McReight in as the starting seven and Tate McDermott as the run-on nine. It will also give the international aspirations of Uru, Wright, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips and Tom Lynagh a very healthy shove in the back. And it will help the Wallabies win.
With Kiss supporting Schmidt in the Aussie pyramid, it may not be too long before we witness the strong Australia the rugby world needs.
Reds keep marching on, even though they had different 10 on the day- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will start at flyhalf with Tom Lynagh shifting to the bench to play a finisher’s role at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.
Reds head coach Les Kiss says the team’s depth at flyhalf is a positive.
“We’re very fortunate to have the options we do at No.10. Tom has had a couple of good games starting and this is an opportunity for Harry to start,” Kiss said.
“Jordie’s return gives us good cover in the backline for a number of positions.” Kiss says the Rebels are a strong opponent.
“It’s a big challenge. As a forward pack, the Rebels have found their mojo and allowed their backline to play,” Kiss said.
“It’s really important for us to present a connected defensive line and have a strong set piece set a good base for us.”
The reds actually have a good draw
what about Italy, is it Gonzalo Quesada?
of course it is
get up the REDS. Nic you are onto something here.
what a game v chiefs. The REDS really worked hard, I was impressed.
work ethic has really improved.
Great article Nick as you have pressed all the right buttons for this old forward. Getting the backrow right, delivering fast ball, and getting all players able to attack the breakdown, It will go a fair way to setting some bits of the Wallabies right.
Loved this part: in any Schmidt or Kiss-coached side is the middle five – the back-row and half-backs. The new man at Ballymore will demand a lot of quick-build rucks [93 against the Waratahs] with a high ratio of 1-3 second lightning-quick ball [68% versus NSW]
Thanks Bob. The Reds eventually lost to a very strong Canes side but they will take a lot out of that game in any case.
Hey Nick,
I sure you’ll be pleased & relieved that I’m not, and won’t profess to be, an expert on Super Rugby.
I even agree entirely with you that Schmidt is an outstanding coach with an unquestionable track record of success. It is though interesting, that you highlight the confidence and emotional impact of Les Kiss that McDermott references. This is the one aspect that Ireland players have talked about Farrell tangibly improving on post Schmidt’s Ireland legacy. More than one have talked about Schmidt being quite rigid, perhaps even autocratic, in his style - they talked about the “school teacher” approach. Clearly it was what Ireland needed and it worked incredibly well for them, it’s probably what Oz need to get them back from a real low point at the wc! Perhaps Schmidt and Kiss might even dovetail well and make a formidable duo if they were to take the wallaby reins together? Of course the joker in the Oz pack is the RA politics and their poor financial position. Who knows how that side plays out…
Oh good it’s you 😁
Schmidt is very good at seeing the big picture and he understands how structures work very well indeed. He also has a great eye for detail. But he’ll need support at SRP level, and Les Kiss is one coach who will completely understand the structures he wants to implement while giving them a distinctively Aussie shove-in-the-back. It’s a good combo even though Kiss is unlikely to join Schmidt’s WB staff.
Wilson did seem very confident which was great to see. In regards to him and Fraser as wallabies- does their size disadvantage them at the very top level? Genuinely interested. Both clearly are capable and seem to have better direction under Kiss.
Harry is big enough at 6’5 and 115 kilos, though I’d prefer to see him ta #6 not #8. Fraser is a great player he just needs the backing from Joe. And ofc they need to play a style which makes best use of his speed and foraging ability.
interesting. I did see last year Queensland and Brad Thorn use some bokke moves like the 6-2 bench and a move the bulls did in bringing back the tap and go from 5 out instead of the line out and maul.
There can be many errors in a lineout, you loose control esp. if ref calls a borderline not straight, jumping across line, etc etc it is out of your control, then the maul, a few rules can mess you up again in the eyes of a ref, or others, you lose control.
At least in a tap and go you control the move and the play, just have to 1. catch the ball and 2 watch the jackling from opposition, 3 watch being held up over try line.
WAY to go I reckon.
2024. Tap and go 5 meters out.
The axis is key for Queensland, Wallabies and any union team. Get it right and there is magic.
Lynagh
McDermott (great cricket name)
Wilson
So Joe Schmidt will be watching and the Pacific Lions coaches are in Melbourne watching, poach city.
I think if Q can get the Kiss of life not the Kiss of death they may well unlock that stacked backline. Vunivalu is improving. Kiss (and Brad Davis, Jonathan Fisher, Zane Hilton and Dale Roberson) and the progressive attacking style may work. He loves coaching. No pressure.
resuscitation is in his name.
Hell he knows the Bokke and Ireland, and time with ulster.
Based on his league past he will understand how to break this flat line. He is a hands on skill set coach.
One thing I am still waiting to see in union is the skill often shown in league, when 5 meters out they can kick into the post get the deflection and wrong foot opposition to score.
Good Luck Queensland, hope you do well. They have the Hurricanes next
Bula
add to mix how good was Tane Edmed v crusaders
If there was an issue with BT, it was that he responded to every challenge with more physicality. I don’t think Les Kiss is built the same way at all.
The Canes will be a much sterner test, but it was a bright start from Les and his group.
Wilson was even trusted to win a ball at the back of a lineout!
Praise be to the rugby gods.
Yes indeed, he only used to get about one throw to the front every half dozen games!
I did spot Wilson do a couple of in tight carries in that game and…he went ok, when before he was stopped plain and simple. I suspect that it was little tiny foot movements that worked for him. A little micro skill to improve an aspect of his game. Btw NB the Highlanders are tracking much better so far than last year despite the loss to the Blues. Check out the highlights if you can.
I saw large parts of the Blues match and they do have some weapons to work with now.
You could tell from his body language that HW has found a coach he feels he can dvelop with and through, it’s exciting times for him and the rest of the B/R.
Ryhs Patchell has been impressive so far. There was some snobbery from Stan Sport after his excellent offload which set up a try, claiming he would never have done that in the Northern Hemisphere.
Harry Wilson was wasted under Thorn. He has real skill and asking him to run at people all day was a crime. I hope he gets some reward this season
I agree, we didn’t see the best of him under BT. But if he can prove to be a reliable source of lineout ball there is very chance he will go into Joe’s back row with Bobby and Fraser.
I was chuffed with the result and pretty happy with the performance but mindful that it was round 1. The backrow was in synch but what I also enjoyed was the positive intent. The conditions were not conducive for positive, ball in hand rugby but that’s what the Reds served up. The counterattacking prowess of the Kiwi sides makes accuracy on attack extremely crucial. One mistake and they’ll punish you.
do not worry about making mistakes, reduce them for sure, but it is not a good thing to worry about. Very good teams feed off other teams if they have a reticent nature. go for it, try it, if it is well rehearsed and trained it will be well executed, if not, make up for it in the next few plays. but never worry about the one mistake that will ruin the game for your team. be bold, be confident.
Yep a long road to travel but a worthy start M. The Canes will be tougher but I loved the Reds’ positive intent. Long may it continue!
Thanks Nick. I really liked what I saw from Qld, but didn't fully understand what was going on.
I actually thought that NSW played well too, but were outplayed. I’m hoping I’m right and that NSW put on a good show v the Crusaders. I’m thinking Qld could even win their game.
Assuming that we were seeing an improvement from both sides, that’s exactly what Schmidt wants.
Shame about the Rebels and the Force. I didn't see much. Brumbies were ok, but let's see some more
NSW got the card that stemmed their flow, but they have good players and played well.
Thanks Adrian.
Maybe look at it from the POV of ball control? Who is controlling the ball better? Reds were controlling it through possession and quick rucks, Waratahs via turnover and breakaways… Qld method much superior on the night!