Joe Schmidt Discusses Sam Prendergast’s Talent and Experienced Teammates

Joe Schmidt revealed that he became aware of Sam Prendergast’s abilities two years prior, a fact communicated to him by Richie Murray, who was then the Ireland Under-20 coach and now leads Ulster. Sam Prendergast is scheduled to take the field once more at the Aviva Stadium, donning Ireland’s green number 10 jersey for the upcoming Saturday match facing Australia. Prendergast, whose full debut occurred during last week’s victory against Fiji, was selected by Andy Farrell over Jack Crowley. Joe Schmidt, the former Ireland coach who now manages Australia, confirmed that he was initially informed of Prendergast’s potential by Richie Murphy, then the Ireland Under-20 coach and currently the Ulster boss. The Wallabies coach stated, “I was talking to Richie Murphy two years ago and he was saying ‘wow, this kid can play’.” Schmidt continued, “He got his debut against Fiji and I thought he did really well and Faz [Andy Farrell] must have thought he did alright as well because he’s put him back in against us.” He further elaborated, “I’m not saying it’s ever going to be easier for him but imagine having Jamison Gibson-Park and Bundee Aki inside and outside, Robbie Henshaw right there, Caelan Doris further in… While his [Prendergast’s] experience isn’t great, the people around him have got fantastic experience.” Schmidt also noted that Gibson-Park’s inclusion at scrum-half likely constitutes the primary tactical distinction from his tenure with the Ireland team, though he asserted that Farrell’s squad “are not that different”. He explained, “Jamison Gibson-Park gives them so much speed in how quickly he arrives and distributes the ball at the breakdown.” Schmidt concluded, “We probably used Conor’s [Murray] kicking game a bit more, not that Jamison has got a bad kicking game. People tend to play to their strengths and then as a coach, you’re trying to maximise the strengths you have in the team.”