Joe Schmidt at the bed of the All Blacks before the first test against Ireland

As affected by the Covid-19 virus as two of his assistants and two players, New Zealand coach Ian Foster asked former Irish coach Joe Schmidt to offer his help to the All Blacks, ahead of the first test match against the fifteen of the clovers.

Joe Schmidt has been called in to help prepare the All Blacks ahead of the first test against Ireland, the country he has coached for seven years (2013-2019), this Saturday at Eden Park. Affected by Covid-19, New Zealand coach Ian Foster himself asked Schmidt To come to the bedside of the team.

“Joe will be coming in for training on Tuesdays and Thursdays this week, and we are really grateful for his help.Foster said. We have prepared for this type of eventuality, and there is a great opportunity for the expanded team of more experienced coaches and players, who will be particularly excited. We’ve learned to face the unexpected, like everyone else has for two years. I will continue to work with the coaches and the team via Zoom and have complete confidence in the pool of coaches and players. »

Covid-19 has hit Ireland too

Foster and his aides, John Plumtree and Scott MacLeod, who also contracted Covid-19, are in solitary confinement, as are David Haveley and Jack Goodhue, who had to leave the training camp in Auckland. Their fellow Crusaders Brydon Inor was called up to the team on Monday.

Ireland also had a case of Covid-19 on its squad with Australian-born winger Mac Hansen forced into solitary confinement. Niall Scannell was called up to the squad after prostitute Rob Herring and second-grader Ian Henderson were out in training. The Monster player will arrive in New Zealand on Thursday.

Ahead of Saturday’s first Test match against the New Zealanders, Ireland play the Maori All Blacks in Hamilton on Wednesday. Brad Webber and TJ Perenara, who are usually cast with the All Blacks, will join the Maori squad.

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