‘It’s certainly slightly tender’ – All Blacks star hurting after Joe Schmidt’s defection to arch-rivals

Sydney, Australia. 19th Jan, 2024. New Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt arrives at a press conference about his appointment at Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Friday, January 19, 2024. (AAP Image/Max Mason-Hubers) NO ARCHIVING Credit: Australian Associated Press/Al

Scott Barrett has admitted that it hurts seeing former All Blacks assistant coach Joe Schmidt taking over the reins as the Wallabies’ new head coach.

Speaking at the Super Rugby Pacific season launch in Auckland on Friday, the Crusaders captain and utility forward said he enjoyed working with Schmidt during his time as an assistant coach with New Zealand.

Experienced coach

Schmidt worked as an All Blacks selector and assistant coach in 2022 and 2023 and also had a successful stint as Ireland’s head coach from 2013 to 2019.

Last week, former All Blacks hooker Dane Coles said it was “kind of a kick in the guts” when asked about Schmidt becoming the Wallabies’ coach and Barrett feels similarly about the appointment.

“It’s certainly slightly tender, when he’s been involved with the All Blacks,” Barrett told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

“But it’s the way rugby is, a global game and we’ve got coaches of different nationalities coaching different teams.”

Schmidt finished his tenure with the All Blacks after last year’s Rugby World Cup in France and was not included in new All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson’s backroom staff.

It did not take long for Rugby Australia to acquire his services and Barrett believes he will be an asset in his new surroundings.

“I was really impressed with Joe, he had a big impact on our game,” he said.

“And we’ve obviously seen what he’s done with Ireland over the years. He’s sharp and passionate about what he wants out of a team so that’s a huge asset and acquisition for Australian rugby. He’ll be great for the Wallabies. They are in good hands there.”

Schmidt is renowned for his strong work ethic and attention to detail and Barrett compared him to one of New Zealand’s best rugby minds.

Highly rated

“He’s a real rugby head, similar to Wayne Smith,” said the 30-year-old. “He watches a lot of code. He knows a lot of players from different club competitions, different nations, he does his research and he knows the players and he knows the game so he drives habits within teams.

“All the little things at training which add up to be pretty huge.”

Barrett also joked that Schmidt is not as “boring” and “pragmatic” as he professed to be when he was unveiled as Australia’s new head coach.

“He’s got plenty of energy about him,” he added. “He doesn’t drink much coffee but you’d think he’d be five a day with the energy he brings. He’s cool.”