'I don't know about being love-bombed' - Joe Schmidt focussed on Wallabies for Ireland return

Joe Schmidt reckons he'll be all business this week as he prepares his Australia team to take down Ireland.

Much of the talk in the build-up to the final game of the Autumn Nations Series, and the only Test of the weekend, will centre around Schmidt’s return to Irish shores as an opposing coach for the first time since departing as head coach in 2019.

But, after recording impressive wins over England and Wales, the Wallabies revival was dented with a 27-13 defeat to Scotland yesterday.

Schmidt led Ireland to three Six Nations titles in six years, a series success away to Australia, a first Test victory in South Africa and, most memorably, a maiden win against New Zealand after a 111-year wait.

After a spell with World Rugby as a technical director, Schmidt joined the All Blacks coaching staff in 2022 and was in situ for four meetings between the teams, including last year’s World Cup quarter-final win over Andy Farrell’s side.

"I know the Aviva pretty well and that will be nice to get back there, albeit in a different changing shed," said the New Zealander, who faces an Irish side who hammered Fiji 52-17 on Saturday.

"I'm really excited about getting back, I don’t know about being love-bombed.

"I coached against them a couple of times with the All Blacks and I think I was pretty unpopular there.

"I've swapped sides again and there'll be a degree of unpopularity.

"The way my family and I were looked after in Dublin was fantastic, and right around Ireland. It's a special place for us.

"We still have a home there and a daughter, I'm looking forward to catching up with her.

"It will be a nice week to get back there but there's only one game in town and that's about the footy, and trying to help these guys prepare as best they can."

Schm