Enemies tomorrow but coaching staff are kindred spirits

They may be trying to end each other’s World Cups tomorrow but both Steve Hansen and Joe Schmidt have revealed the camaraderie that exists between the New Zealand and Ireland coaching staffs ahead of their quarter-final at Tokyo Stadium.

The two New Zealanders go head-to-head for the fourth time since Schmidt became a Test head coach, replacing Declan Kidney as Ireland boss in 2013. He and fellow New Zealander Hansen have two wins each with Ireland winning the most recent encounter last November with a 16-9 victory in Dublin.