Wynne Gray: Schmidt and O'Connell drive Ireland's success

The Blues must win a stretch of games to turn back the growing tide of pessimism about coach John Kirwan. Photo / Gallo Images

As the Blues face their latest drama, one of their coaching castoffs, Joe Schmidt, is aiming at a landmark with Ireland.

That connection will not be lost on rugby diehards in Manawatu tonight as they sift the Super Rugby duel between the Blues and Hurricanes before taking in Ireland's weekend clash with Wales in the Six Nations.

The contrasting fortunes of the teams and coaches will bubble through discussions about Schmidt, who was born in nearby Woodville and worked for three years with the Blues before hightailing it to Europe and success on the test stage.

Irish rugby is on a rise and their tilt at 11 successive wins this weekend in Cardiff coincides with the 100th test for captain Paul O'Connell. Their route to honour those marks and a Grand Slam target is blocked by Wales first then Scotland, whose coach Vern Cotter worked with Schmidt for three years at Clermont.

O'Connell this weekend reaches three figures for his country after a debut in 2002. The lock is midway through his 36th year but appears to be motivated and effective en route to another World Cup.

It's said he alarms teammates with his rousing talks but that passion drives the squad and O'Connell as he goes about the lineout work, defence, cleanouts and graft which gild his game.

He and Schmidt work their men on every level with a mix of goading, theory, encouragement and insistence.

"... the two of them just drive the squad," said locking partner Devin Toner. "You don't want to disappoint either of them."

Ireland have got themselves into a zone which resembles their hopes for the World Cup later this season, where they need to win multiple matches to go deep into the tournament. The task for the Blues is similar. They must win a stretch of games to stop the early rot and challenge for some respect in this year's competition to turn back the growing tide of pessimism about coach John Kirwan.

Every game becomes more critical.

An away win tonight against the unbeaten Hurricanes is needed before a bye then away games to the Waratahs, Chiefs and an Eden Park return against the Brumbies as the mid-season reviews begin.