Joe Schmidt spoilt for choice ahead of All Blacks revenge mission

Ireland 52 Canada 21: Job done for Ireland’s wannabes against a feisty Canada side and plenty of positives for Joe Schmidt to bank for future campaigns, but the head coach is already bracing for a very different challenge in next Saturday’s rematch with the All Blacks.

Schmidt knows there is a backlash coming from New Zealand having ended their 18-match winning streak nine days ago in Chicago and inflicting Ireland’s first defeat on them in 111 years. It is why he rested 14 of his starters for the Guinness Series opener at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and entrusted a scratch squad of fit-again warriors back from serious injury, his bench from the previous weekend’s epic 40-29 win and eight new caps to face the Canadians.

Eight tries against tier-two opposition is one thing. It was also a performance that allowed Mark Anscombe’s side to level the game with two converted tries at 14-14 in a poor second quarter for the home side, though there was merit in the manner in which Ireland stuck to their gameplan, weathered the storm and then eased away to a comfortable victory.