Keith Earls insists in-form Ireland have eradicated habits instilled by Joe Schmidt forward of a reunion with their former head coach in Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final towards New Zealand.
Schmidt led the Irish into the earlier two World Cups, each of which ended with disappointing last-eight exits, earlier than becoming a member of the All Blacks’ teaching team final summer time.
The 58-year-old’s largely constructive six-year tenure culminated in a 46-14 hammering at the palms of the Kiwis at the 2019 event in Japan earlier than he was succeeded by his assistant Andy Farrell.
Schmidt is now plotting the downfall of his former employers after switching sides, with Ireland in search of to make historical past in Paris by stretching their successful run to 18 matches to attain a maiden semi-final.
New Zealand boss Ian Foster publicly outlined plans to faucet into Schmidt’s in depth information of the opposition, however Munster wing Earls dismissed the deserves of doing so.
“I don’t think Joe would know anything about this squad,” mentioned the 36-year-old. “We’re a completely different squad.
“He probably knows things about individuals but, again, we’ve all changed our habits under this coaching staff and we genuinely don’t use any of the habits that Joe taught us.
“Look, he might have a thing on a couple of individuals, but we’re certainly not the same team that played under Joe.”
Schmidt was due to be part of the set-up of his native New Zealand following final summer time’s three-match house collection towards Ireland, however he was rushed in early after Covid-19 sidelined Foster and a few of his workers.
The All Blacks gained the first Test however misplaced the subsequent two as Ireland launched their present successful streak with a historic tour triumph.
Veteran Earls believes that landmark achievement gave Ireland larger perception, which was enhanced additional by this yr’s Six Nations Grand Slam success.
Yet he concedes they might be silly to underestimate the three-time world champions, who’ve scored 240 factors and 36 tries throughout thrashings of Namibia, Italy and Uruguay following an opening-night defeat to hosts France.
“This tournament is a different animal,” mentioned Earls.
“I know we have beaten New Zealand a few times in the last few years, but they have obviously taught us one or two lessons in between that and beaten us by more than one score.
“We’re under no illusion as to what is coming at the weekend.
“People speak about New Zealand the last year or two that they’ve dipped in performances, but what we’ve seen in this World Cup, they’re starting to come back with a roar.
“After the French game it’s obviously ignited some spark in them. They’re starting to hit their stride again.
“We’re certainly not undermining New Zealand, you would be very silly to do that.
“I have no doubt they will be highly emotional and looking for revenge and bring everything they have.”
Earls hopes to be out there to add to his 101 caps after sitting out final weekend’s victory over Scotland due to a hamstring niggle.
He additionally missed Ireland’s landmark first win over the All Blacks in 2016 in Chicago by suspension, a end result, masterminded by Schmidt, which he credit for serving to to enhance Ireland’s self-image.
“As Irish people, we can lack a lot of confidence and be a small bit too humble at times,” he mentioned.
“We’ve done an awful lot of work on ourselves to believe that we can play a certain brand of rugby that can make us compete with anyone in the world.”
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