Joe Schmidt joins All Black backroom after covid outbreak 

The former Ireland boss was due to start coaching his home country's side after the summer tour but positive tests for head coach Ian Foster as well as assistants John Plumtree and Scott McLeod forced Schmidt to join them early, NZ Rugby said.

Joe Schmidt has been rushed into the New Zealand set-up after Covid-19 felled the side's coaching stocks on the eve of Ireland's tour.

The delicious prospect of Joe Schmidt riding to the rescue of a Covid-hit All Blacks squad to guide them into this Saturday’s first Test against Ireland has emerged from a day of disruption and drama in both camps.

Five days out from the opening match at Eden Park of a three-Test series, the former Ireland boss was brought in by the New Zealand Rugby Union to train the All Blacks in the wake of head coach Ian Foster and senior assistant John Plumtree testing positive for Covid.