VIDEO: Joe Schmidt 'blown away a little bit'
VIDEO: The Wallabies came to Ellis Park and defeated the mighty Springboks, but their coach Joe Schmidt was insistent that his team stay grounded.
This victory is probably one of their greatest ever. It ended a 62-year wait for the Wallabies to record a historical W at the cauldron of Ellis Park.
And while Schmidt was very happy, and also surprised with the final result, he remained focused and warned that the Springboks will bounce back in Cape Town next weekend.
“I’m just blown away a little bit by the way they stayed in the game,” he said of his team.
“Because at 0-22 down after 20 minutes, it would be easy to fall out of the game.
“I know how much it means to them. They’re incredibly proud of the gold jersey that they wear and the bond that they’re forming between themselves.
“The reality for us is we know we were under pressure, and we know that pressure is coming. I’ve coached against the Boks with a few other international teams and come out second, so I know whether they’re favourites or not.
“They’re a heck of a team.
“It’s funny, I’ve coached enough teams because I’m really old and I’ve had teams that get a, I wouldn’t say a soft start but a very, very rapid start,” Schmidt commented as he tried to grasp what had just happened.
He admitted the first 20 minutes “was not good for the heart”.
“We were forced to play catch-up and take a few risks, and there were a few lucky bounces for us, so we are not going to get too carried away.
“But at the same time, I am incredibly proud of the group. I am realistic about getting a little bit of luck, but delighted we came back. 1963 was a long time ago, so the players are delighted.
“It was a mix of us, and a little bit of inaccuracy from the Springboks. Because when they are accurate, you saw those first 20 minutes. I saw wave after wave. Even that first try, geez, it was impressive.
“So this win is right up there. I came here with an Irish team, and I think we were 26-10 up with 20 minutes to go and got steamrolled and beaten,” he said.
“So to get what we did tonight at Ellis Park is a testament to the character of the group.”
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According to Schmidt, the turning point was Joseph Suaalii’s intercept try to bring them back to within three points, and Tom Wright’s match-sealing effort.
“That game was probably closer than the score dictates. We scored a couple of tries when they looked very dangerous and we got them on the break,” Schmidt said.
The coach admitted there would be celebrations before shifting focus to next week’s second Rugby Championship clash with the Boks in Cape Town.
He also indicated that he might have to bring in reinforcements following the injuries to Harry Wilson and Dylan Pietsch.
“Pietsch, obviously, he did hurt his jaw. We’re not sure to what degree at the moment,” Schmidt said.
“I’d love to think it’s just bruising, but we’re going to have to get a little bit of a look at that in time.
“And with Harry as well, he got a bit of a wobble on I,t but he’s feeling a little bit more comfortable now.
“So we live in hope.”
