Courageous Joe ‘recovering well’
Schmidt spent Saturday struggling with stomach pains but still managed to guide his side to a dramatic 26-23 victory over the Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium. The New Zealander even conducted post-match television interviews before admitting defeat to the pain, causing him to miss his scheduled post-match press conference.
Ireland team doctors diagnosed suspected appendicitis and sent him off to Dublin’s St Vincent’s Hospital where Schmidt had his appendix removed that night.
An IRFU bulletin yesterday said Schmidt was “recovering well” and added: “Joe would like to thank the doctors and nurses of St Vincent’s and everyone for their well wishes and kind messages of support.”
Ireland defence coach Les Kiss, standing in for Schmidt in the post-match press conference, praised the head coach for staying at his post throughout the match.
“He toughed out the game in true Joe quality,” Kiss said. “Things just rolled along as they normally do. Joe was in some discomfort and we all just rowed in as we normally do to get the job done.”
Team captain Paul O’Connell said the players had known Schmidt was unwell.
“Guys were aware he was sick. He was kind of standoff-ish most of the day,” O’Connell said. “I suppose he was worried about passing on anything but I think if we hadn’t been told, I don’t think anyone would have known. That’s his attitude.”
Centre Robbie Henshaw admitted he “didn’t notice” Schmidt was unwell in the build-up to Saturday’s autumn-closing Test.
“Joe is an amazing coach and his attention to detail, as mentioned before, is unbelievable,” said Henshaw. “He gets you in the frame of mind where you have to know everything inside out. It’s paying off, his work. He spots weaknesses in teams or where there is space in between teams.
“He expects us to rise to the occasion. We knew during the week it was going to be a physical game and they were going to be ramped up.
“He didn’t make so much of being unwell at all. I didn’t notice, he seemed pretty normal to me.”
While Schmidt recovers from his surgery, four of his players will be going through return to play protocols for head injuries.
Leinster backs Gordon D’Arcy and Rob Kearney and Racing Metro fly-half Johnny Sexton all suffered suspected concussions in the second half and underwent the Head Injury Assessment after being suspended.
Munster scrum-half Conor Murray had also been removed from the field of play to undergo the HIA, before being cleared by the matchday doctor to return to the game, though he was also substituted soon after. The quartet were all assessed yesterday by Ireland medical staff before the squad dispersed and will be assessed further at their clubs and provinces. Kearney also required a scan yesterday after “taking a knock” to his shoulder.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
