Schmidt is heading home soon. It's a sort of bright note to encourage the Blues, if his visit was permanent. But it's a chance to return for a few weeks, watch Ireland go through their work against the All Blacks and then it's back to work with Leinster with his assistants Jono Gibbes and Greg Feek.
Schmidt's holiday schedule is so lean that he'll only reunite with his daughter for a few days in New Zealand after she's finished some exams in Ireland.
While he's been away, Schmidt's success has provoked a number of inquiries about his next role. Some feel he is heading for All Black work though he would first have to return to Super 15 action.
"Being involved with the All Blacks interests any Kiwi, no matter what level you coach at," he says carefully. "It would depend on your confidence and whether you were keen to have a go at that job."
What about the Blues or another Super franchise as an interim step?
"It's not something I am super-confident about. It sounds a great job, it's of interest but it's not something I would say is an ambition.
"All coaches suffer from self-confidence and you can't help but question your ability. The danger is if you don't, then you won't find solutions to a whole range of things.
"You always get a reality jolt when you lose games but there are plenty of other times when you get dealt some lessons."
Does Schmidt think Ireland will get another lesson next month when they pitch up for three tests in Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton? The former headmaster has been in the game long enough to avoid a direct answer. He's seen the All Black training squad and noted their blend of experience and promise but sidestepped any comparison between teams from opposite hemispheres.
"It's tough to say if form at the Heineken Cup translates into success with Ireland or strength in the Super 15 means the All Blacks will surge," he says. "Ireland will have some confidence after going well in the pool games in the World Cup in New Zealand but then they missed out to Wales and were not so strong in the Six Nations. The work of sides here in the Heineken Cup will give them some of that confidence back."
There was a smaller talent pool in Ireland than New Zealand but they had players with long and illustrious careers.
Captain Brian O'Driscoll was one of those. He had returned recently after a lengthy injury break and found form quickly.
"His performance for his 60 minutes in the semifinal against Clermont was superb. He got under the skin of Aurelien Rougerie who was a powerful force in the World Cup. He can be a handful but I think O'Driscoll got the better of him.
"His ability to match up on the big occasion comes through. He's still got very good speed, is a smart player and courageous. He throws his body into situations where flankers sometimes think twice.
"I'd like Ireland to translate some of that form into their tests in New Zealand but I know how hard a place it is to tour."
Schmidt picked out fullback Rob Kearney, flanker Sean O'Brien and prop Cian Healey as some who would stand out. Kearney had been in great nick all year, O'Brien was a dynamic, abrasive ball-carrier and Healey was an all-round top frontrower.
Five-eighths Jonny Sexton was the future for Ireland while Ronan O'Gara still had a great pass and kick and was a superb backline organiser. Sexton's game suited the modern patterns, he was combative and liked to take the ball to the line. He was a fair size too and well able to cope with the traffic which ran down the inside channels.
Schmidt was thinking about plans for Leinster next year but not beyond that.
"If you are pragmatic you don't have a massive security in the job I do," he added. "So up here I do a lot of reading, I review novels for a newspaper here and a few other things. The future does not worry me.
"Rugby coaching does interest me but I try not to over plan things. I'm keen to get back at some stage but teaching may be an easier option.
"One of the things about rugby is that it is seven days a week and that means a negative on family time and that is the hardest thing to deal with."
