Joe Schmidt: ‘I still heard his voice in games’ remembers Sexton before former coach’s Aviva Stadium return
The list of accomplishments is certainly long.
Ireland won back-to-back Six Nations titles for the first time since 1948/49, a first Grand Slam in a season played in Paris and London, a first win on South African soil, a first Southern Hemisphere series win in 39 years and, most amazingly, Memorably, it ended a 111-year wait for victory over the All Blacks – Schmidt’s side having regularly breached Irish rugby’s most enduring glass ceiling.
However, one thing they were unable to do was reach the World Cup semi-finals.
He made his first appearance in 2015, when an injury-plagued Ireland side were beaten by Argentina in the quarter-finals in Cardiff.
Four years later, Schmidt has confirmed his intention to “end coaching” during the World Cup, a tournament in which his great side faded, first losing in the group to hosts Japan and then to New Zealand. in the past eight games.
Some have downplayed Schmidt’s contribution to Irish rugby, given how it ended, and the success that current head coach Andy Farrell has enjoyed since taking over the baton.
“I think sometimes people, and when I say people, a lot of it is the media, they will change it in some way and focus on the bad six months rather than the eight years he gave Leinster and Irish rugby when he It’s been a phenomenal success,” Sexton said.
“I would add that no other manager has really had that (success). I hope Andy continues to achieve that but Joe won a Grand Slam, two championships, the Heineken Cup, the Amlin Cup, the league title , he won (previously) with Clermont.
“When you talk about someone’s career, you have to consider the facts.
“That’s the great thing about winning. You always have opinions and you have to respect people’s opinions, but when you win, you can’t argue with that. No one can say you didn’t win everything you did.”
