A tumultuous start to the All Blacks’ 2022 birthed an opportunity for Joe Schmidt, an opportunity that has seen the former Ireland head coach not just thrive but inspire his players to embrace the game in a new way.
A series loss to Schmidt’s former team had the All Blacks – along with New Zealand Rugby and the wider fanbase – looking for answers just three games into the international season and a year out from a World Cup. Schmidt was hastily promoted to backs coach and the All Black attack started to capitalise on the threats it possessed.
For the All Blacks’ most ever capped back, Aaron Smith, Schmidt had reinvigorated his drive for improvement. The new sense of enthusiasm evolved throughout the international calendar and peaked in Wales, where Smith scored two tries in a 55-23 win.
“He was a game changer for me,” Smith said of Schmidt on SENZ Breakfast. “The way he saw the game, he had clips from training, he had clips from games way back, he really just gets rugby and he got my mindset.
“I had a good chat with all three coaches actually, my D (defence) was playing up a little bit in July and so I connected (with them).
“As the year went on I really went and got some help around my game and just got a clear sight of what they saw you know, they were happy but happy’s not good enough.
“I went a bit deeper and (didn’t) assume I knew the answers and that really helped going on to the tour.”
