Joe Schmidt is dispensing his wisdom at the Pendulum Summit in the Convention Centre today. The summit is a leading self-empowerment event and business conference.
The event allowed Newstalk's Breakfast a chance to briefly ask a few questions of Schmidt just before he went on. The emphasis here is on the words briefly and just before.
First, Ivan had to get the preliminary question about the event at which Schmidt was speaking out of the way - a task he approached with minimal enthusiasm.
Yates: What is your main message to delegates this morning?
Schmidt: I wouldn't say I'm a keynote speaker because I'm really here to listen to everyone else to get some ideas myself. I'll just be talking about working with people and what I've found to work a little bit and what's been a bit of a struggle.
Despite his attendance at that same event later on in the day, Yates barely concealed his disinterest in the opening question and answer. The speed with which he moved matters onto rugby was both telling and impressive. Dive in to the present debate. First, he asked about the captaincy.
Yates: Okay, we're on the cusp of the Six Nations. Your captain Paul O'Connell has moved on. Have you decided who the new captain will be? Jamie Heaslip? Peter O'Mahony?
Schmidt: No. I haven't.
There was a slight pause. Absolutely no headway.
Yates: Okay. And Andy Farrell is joining your ranks as defence coach. Are you excited about that?
Schmidt: Yeah, yeah, look I think Andy's got a real breadth of experience and he made a really positive impression on the players who were involved in the 2013 Lions Tour. So, yeah, he's got a proven track record and I think he'll bring a real freshness to the group. We're obviously disappointed that Les (Kiss) isn't with us because he's been such a good operator for us. I'm really excited about Andy coming in and I think the vast majority of the players who have heard that he's coming in have been really excited about it.
Yates: Joe, is it of concern to you how the provinces have struggled in the Champions Cup?
Schmidt: Not unduly. I think the Champions Cup is a really tough competition. I think some of the performances have actually been better than the results. And sometimes, the results, the bounce of the ball doesn't go your way but I thought Munster's back-to-back performances against Leicester were top notch. I thought both the first half performances from Leinster against Toulon were outstanding, especially the one at home in the Aviva. And it's great to see Ulster having fought their way back into their pool on their back their loss to Saracens and hopefully this weekend, we'll get some good news on those. So, look, I've certainly got my fingers crossed for the next few weeks and hopefully the players come in with a really positive attitude because things have gone well and that we don't get too many injuries between now and then.
The matter of the World Cup and bouncing back.
Yates: Now, we're just after a World Cup finals...
Schmidt: Sorry, I've actually got to go on here (laughing) I'm being ushered out of the room and onto the stage so, eh...
Yates: That's fair enough Joe. I look forward to being at the Pendulum Summit later. Thank you for joining us briefly on the programme. And we wish you well in the Six Nations. Hopefully Ireland can retain their back-to-back titles that they won the last two years.
Schmidt was his usual polite and respectful self but the interview was a masterpiece of saying nothing whatsoever. It was almost Jim Gavin-esque.
Meanwhile, here are the highlights from his talk in the Convention Centre.
Joe Schmidt reveals as a family at dinner they ask each other "what did you do for somebody else today?"
— Gavin Duffy (@GavinDuffy) January 8, 2016
"Self awareness is key, get to know yourself, invest in yourself. Be the person you need to be". True words from Joe Schmidt #PendulumSummit
— Sinead Doherty (@SineadDFenero) January 8, 2016
He talked some more about the nature of Irish supporters.
The support in Ireland is phenomenal. It does drive you to achieve what those supporters want.
