By way of head-to-head contests, this would be the twelfth time Gatland and Schmidt have confronted off in opposition to one another. Schmidt has the sting with seven wins, in comparison with three for Gatland and one draw.
Solely Graham Henry and Robbie Deans (15) and Michael Cheika and Steve Hansen (14) have confronted one another extra amongst tier one nations.
The rugby rivalry that dates again a long time began once they performed collectively in the identical New Zealand academics faculty crew along with Gatland a hooker and Schmidt a wing.
They’ve coached in opposition to one another since, when Schmidt was in command of Eire.
After returning to New Zealand, Schmidt ultimately grew to become a part of the All Blacks teaching workers, serving to the facet to the 2023 World Cup closing the place they have been overwhelmed by South Africa.
Then Australia got here calling and Schmidt’s new facet defeated Gatland’s Wales in two Checks in the summertime of 2024.
“Each these video games have been tight, in Sydney and Melbourne,” mentioned Schmidt.
“Clearly, this time final 12 months, Wales put 40 factors on the Wallabies within the World Cup.
“It isn’t like they’ve metamorphosed into a nasty crew. They received very near plenty of groups within the Six Nations.
“I am anticipating them to be extremely exhausting to beat. They’re dogmatic with the way in which they go about their defensive work and they’re very exhausting to interrupt down.”