Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has appendix removed after win over Australia
Sunday 23 November 2014 16:17, UK
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt had an operation to remove his appendix in the hours after Saturday's victory over Australia.
The New Zealander was taken to hospital in the aftermath of a 26-23 win that saw Ireland come through their autumn internationals with a perfect record.
Doctors diagnosed appendicits, and Schmidt is now recovering after surgery.
A statement from the Irish Rugby Football Union said: "Joe would like to thank the doctors and nurses of St Vincents Hospital and everyone for their well wishes and kind messages of support."
Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss said boss Schmidt had "toughed out the day" in typically understated fashion.
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"He had some pretty bad stomach pains through the day," said Kiss. "He toughed out the day in true Joe style."
Ireland captain Paul O'Connell said without prior knowledge no one would have realised Schmidt was battling a nasty illness.
"Guys were aware he was sick, he was kind of stand-off-ish, he was worried about passing on anything he had," said O'Connell.
"If you hadn't have been told, I don't think anyone would have known."
