Defeated.

Ireland’s humiliating defeat at the hands of the All Blacks this morning brought the curtain down on Joe Schmidt’s tenure as head coach in the worst possible fashion.

Everyone knew it was always going to take something special to defeat the reigning world champions but to go out in the manner that they did will leave a scar. To play the way they did in Joe Schmidt’s final game as head coach is really disappointing.

The New Zealander has done so much for rugby in Ireland and deserved so much better. But that’s sport. Rarely do players and coaches get a chance to bow out in a blaze of glory.

“It wasn’t just 22 points, it was all the ball we gave them. I think we missed touch for us to get field position three times.” a disappointed Schmidt said after the game

“It just meant that we were chasing our tail, they had so much ball in our 22′ and our half. It was very tough going…

“We had a few chances in that first half. the third try that the All Blacks scored, we had a gap on the outside we just didn’t quite play it. We didn’t quite have a feel, we’ve been a little bit flat all season, which is disappointing.

“We were great last year and we just came off the top of that and haven’t quite been where we wanted to be all year.

“I’d just like to thank my players and thank these supporters that followed us all over the place. Rory has led the team incredibly well, and Paul O’Connell before him. It’s been a privilege.”

It’s been a privilege to have you, Joe.