Officially, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has been in the job for six months, although he started his planning long before he walked into Rugby Australia’s office for his first day on March 1.
After agreeing to take the job, Schmidt’s rationale was simple. “I’m desperate for the Wallabies to be competitive and, if I can help, that’s why I’m here,” he said. It sounded simple, but after the wreckage of Eddie Jones’ tenure, it was just what RA wanted to hear.
Schmidt was arguably taking on the biggest coaching challenge in world rugby. After nine Tests in charge for four wins, he has at least brought a competitive edge to the side, but there remains significant room for improvement.
After Saturday’s 20-point defeat in Wellington to the All Blacks rounded out the 2024 Rugby Championship, and with a daunting November tour to the United Kingdom and Ireland on the horizon, what have we learned of Schmidt’s tenure so far?
Depth has been built
Schmidt’s decision to give Hamish Stewart a start at inside centre against Argentina in La Plata made the Western Force player the 15th Wallabies debutant of the season – the most since 1962.
The newcomers have varied in terms of success, but Schmidt will be pleased with how comfortable most have looked in the Wallabies jersey and, consequently, the increased competition for places across the squad.
Western Force wing Dylan Pietsch debuted off the bench in Schmidt’s first Test against Wales in July and on Saturday in Wellington looked every inch the Test footballer.
At the start of the year, Isaac Kailea’s main goal was to secure regular minutes for the Rebels. By the end of September, the prop has earned six caps and looks set to be Angus Bell’s deputy for the Waratahs and Wallabies for years to come.
Finally, injury to Fraser McReight gave Perth breakaway Carlo Tizzano an opportunity to introduce himself to international rugby.
In his first three Tests against South Africa (twice) and Argentina, he made 57 tackles, missing none. The flanker is the perfect foil for the world-class McReight, forcing him to lift his performances to new levels knowing that the Western Force player is desperate to take his place.
A settled pack
If Schmidt’s back line is an interchangeable deck of cards most weeks, it appears he has found his best starting forward pack. When Taniela Tupou is available, he starts in the front row with Bell, creating a world-class front-row, even if it just lasts a half.
Bell’s return from foot surgery to play in the second Test against South Africa in Perth reminded the Wallabies of his importance, not only in terms of his ability to hold up a scrum but through his hard carries. At just 23, that is a significant load to carry.
Tupou is similarly crucial. The Wallabies’ scrum is far more secure when he is on the field, although his conditioning remains suspect. When Bell and Tupou are on the field, the Wallabies’ chances of winning are far greater. Whether Schmidt can get the best out of Tupou on the training paddock remains to be seen.
In the second row, Schmidt looks to have settled on a combination of Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams and the physical Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
The back row of McReight, Rob Valetini and captain Harry Wilson is looking more settled with each Test and their body of work together bodes well ahead of major challenges against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.
Fraser McReight has been the pick of the Wallabies forwards under Joe Schmidt.Credit: Getty Images
Trust in Noah
There are numerous difficult jobs in Australian sport, but few come with more critics than the starting five-eighth for the Wallabies.
Schmidt has shown trust in Noah Lolesio as his playmaker, giving him the No.10 jumper in seven of his first nine Tests. There is no reason why this will change for the spring tour.
Lolesio is a player who thrives on confidence and in Wellington there was some evidence that he was slowly opening Schmidt’s attacking playbook and creating space for his back line.
There is still a need for him to play flatter to open gaps in the opposition’s defence, rather than sitting deep and slinging the ball immediately to a teammate.
Lolesio has competition in Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh, but Schmidt has shown that it is the Brumbies playmaker’s jersey to lose.
Consistently inconsistent
Schmidt’s attention to detail as a rugby coach is legendary. Ahead of the November tour, every player in the Wallabies squad will be furnished with a weighty dossier of material to review.
Ahead of his first Test against Wales on July 6, Schmidt had barely two weeks of training with his squad before he tried to make sense of what talent he had at his disposal.
Now, after nine Tests, Schmidt has seen the full gamut of Wallabies rugby, from gritting out a brilliant one-point victory against Argentina to following up the next week with their biggest-ever Test defeat, against the same opponent.
The Wallabies come to terms with another defeat, this one in the second Test against South Africa in Perth.Credit: Getty
The first Test against New Zealand in Sydney was a microcosm of life with the Wallabies. Within 14 minutes, the All Blacks had scored three unanswered tries, leaving the home crowd stunned.
Yet, in the second half, the Wallabies fought back, showing a determination not seen last year to end the game narrow, 28-31 losers. From brutal to brilliant.
Schmidt clearly understands that heart and moral victories do not count for anything in Test rugby. He needs consistent performances – and a few wins – from his side.
The Wallabies have been maligned by sections of the British and Irish media, which has questioned whether they are worthy of hosting a Lions tour given their recent Test record.
The first Test of the spring, against England in Twickenham, presents the perfect opportunity to remind at least one-quarter of the future Lions touring party of the progress that has been made.
There are still considerable questions about the Wallabies’ defence’s ability to stand up under pressure, with an average of 32 points conceded across Schmidt’s first nine Tests. The heavy fields of London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Dublin will put that defence under further scrutiny.
However, there has been progress in attack, even if it has been slow. The Wallabies have a head coach they want to succeed under and the perfect opportunity to silence their critics.
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