I completely agree that he made a pragmatic decision when he took over and it worked in 2014 apart from v England, that said we actually had more variation in our game that year, than we have had since. It seems to me that Schmidt has stuck rigidly to his approach when he came in and it worked in 2014 and he completely stuck with it. I would have thought that he should have been able to see that this limited approach would as you say have a limited shelf life, and would be worked out - he obviously decided to keep it for the WC and it was ultimately found out (allowing for the injuries v Argentina). Keeping the same approach again this 6N (there was a little bit more v Wales, but a complete lack of ability/nous in the 22) is to my mind indefensible, but predicatable - most coaches go down this route, and address the issues too late. Kidney did this to a certain extent (more 2013 than 2012) - I really hope that Schmidt doesn't do the same, because it will only end one way - he is absolutely the best man to lead us out of this, but he needs to start now. The rest of the 6N and the summer tour should be alkl aout introducing some ew players and bedding down a changed gameplan. The summer tour is likely to be a washout imo - lok at our record in summer tours after world cups (Played 10 W 1 (USA) D 1 (Can) L 8 (NZ x 4, SA x 2, Aus, Arg))simonokeeffe wrote:rehashing that Darcy article is flogging a dead horse, plus his point was about coaching at almost all levels in Irish rugby
that said
I think Joe made a pragmatic decision to play a certain way, based on how much access he would have (or not have compared to Leinster job) and the skill levels at the provinces
that way does have a limited shelf life, and skill/style of play at Ulster, Leinster, Connacht has gotten and is getting better and better. Munster's Irish contingent are no mugs either
so I would be very disappointed if this Summer/Autumn we didnt play a more expansive gameplan
the other Joe problem is he expects high standards from everyone, including refs
Also time with the players is a omplete red herring at this point - I could buy that for the 2014 6 - he has had 2.5 years and 30 games with them. I don't think anybody outside of the fringe would complain if players were being introduced and doing it gradually is the way to do it - he has a couple of blind spots imo and needs to address these. The moaning about referees is very un Schmidt like also and really doesn't bode well