In 2011 it was announced he would join the Auckland Blues as a skills coach for the 2012 season.

He spent the 2009 season and 2010 season with the Auckland Blues, where he was a consistent player.

Schmidt joined the Auckland Blues as assistant coach from 2004-2007 where, in his final year, they were knocked out in the semi-final.

In 2010 he played for the Auckland Blues, before returning to Wellington in 2011.

In 2001, Kirwan was an assistant coach with the Auckland Blues, his first professional coaching role.

He is the first French player to have taken part in the Super 12 (with the Auckland Blues).

The side was however soundly defeated in a semi-final by the Auckland Blues, with the final score being 48 points to 11.

They were defeated by eventual 1998 Champions the Auckland Blues in their semi-final however.

They opened their season with a 19-13 victory over the Auckland Blues at Carisbrook.

In 1996 they managed to reach the semi-final but suffered a heavy defeat to the Auckland Blues by 48-11.