The Aviva Stadium in Dublin will bear witness to an emotional and compelling rugby narrative this weekend, as Joe Schmidt returns to the ground that defined much of his coaching legacy.
Now leading the Wallabies, Schmidt will face the very Irish team he guided to historic success, creating a fascinating backdrop to this Autumn Nations Series finale.
A legacy etched in Irish rugby history
Joe Schmidt’s tenure as Ireland’s head coach from 2013 to 2019 is the stuff of legend. Under his stewardship, Ireland scaled unprecedented heights, claiming three Guinness Six Nations titles (2014, 2015, and 2018), including Ireland’s first back-to-back Championships since 1948-49. In 2018, Schmidt also guided Ireland to their first Grand Slam in nine years.
It wasn’t just the Six Nations where Schmidt triumphed. He also defeated the All Blacks twice, ending a 111-year wait for an Irish victory over New Zealand. During his six years in charge, Schmidt achieved a 71% win rate with Ireland, claiming some big scalps in the process.
Schmidt’s tactical genius and meticulous preparation revolutionised Ireland’s approach, transforming them into a powerhouse of world rugby—a legacy that endures to this day.
The Aviva Stadium was often the stage for these triumphs. From dramatic Six Nations encounters to historic victories, Schmidt and the Irish faithful shared countless unforgettable moments. Saturday’s clash, however, will see him step into the cauldron not as a hero in green, but as the architect of Australia’s resurgence.
The Wallabies reinvention
After years of turbulence, Australia turned to Schmidt in 2024, hoping to rebuild their fortunes following a disappointing Rugby World Cup campaign. His impact has been swift. The Wallabies have shown glimpses of the structured, high-intensity rugby that became synonymous with Schmidt’s Ireland.
Recent victories against England and Wales have demonstrated a team beginning to click under his leadership. The Australian sleeping giant is beginning to awaken.
For Schmidt, the task of transforming Australian rugby is both a professional challenge and a personal opportunity to cement his reputation as one of the game’s great minds. Guiding the Wallabies into the intimidating atmosphere of the Aviva, against a world-class Ireland team, is the biggest test of his tenure to date.
His influence
Schmidt’s impact extended beyond the team to individual players. Brian O’Driscoll has often expressed gratitude for Schmidt’s work, not only with Ireland but also during his time at Leinster, where he guided the province to multiple domestic and European trophies.
O’Driscoll said: “Joe had a huge impact on the winter of my career, he came in and we won a couple of European trophies and internationally to win the Six Nations in my final season..... Reinforcing the belief that we had to compete year on year at international rugby, and that belief has stayed with the team.”
Schmidt’s effect on Farrell
Ireland, now coached by Andy Farrell—Schmidt’s assistant during the later stages of his Ireland tenure—continues to build on the foundation Schmidt laid. Farrell has often credited Schmidt for shaping his coaching career.
Former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton has attributed Ireland’s recent success to the groundwork laid by Schmidt, which Farrell has continued to develop. Sexton remarked: “I can also say that he [Schmidt] laid the foundations, and Andy would say the same. Andy worked with Joe for four years. He would have learned a lot, and he’d acknowledge that himself. They remain great friends as well.”
Currently ranked among the world’s elite, Ireland have carried Schmidt’s legacy forward while adding their own flair, which has earned them so much success over recent years, winning back-to-back Guinness Men’s Six Nations titles (2023/2024) just like his predecessor.
The final chapter of the Series
For Ireland, Saturday’s game offers the chance to label their Autumn Nations Series campaign a success. As if this match-up couldn’t be more fitting, it will also be Andy Farrell’s last game in charge of Ireland before he takes the helm of the British & Irish Lions for their 2025 tour—where they will face none other than Joe Schmidt’s Australia.
