Thirteen Tests for six victories and seven losses. It doesn’t sound like much, but given where the Wallabies were this time last year – two wins from 11 Tests, a rudderless team eliminated early from the World Cup, a coach about to defect to a rival nation and two of its brightest stars switching to the NRL – 2024 is a pass mark with a delicious dollop of promise.
Three of the six wins were against Wales, currently in the midst of a 12-match losing streak. One was over Georgia, the world No 12 but rising fast. The two most impressive were the boilover triumph over Argentina at La Plata in August and the last-gasp smash and grab on England at Twickenham last month which sent Wallabies stocks soaring to a 20-year high.
In between were moments of humiliation (leading Argentina 20-3 early only to capitulate 67-27 in Santa Fe), heartbreak (almost chasing down New Zealand in a 31-28 loss in Sydney), and humility (smashed 63-19 in two home Tests by world champions South Africa).
But throughout every glorious high and shattering low, a new hope has anchored the quest.
Never more so than last week when Australia had world No 2 Ireland on the rack in Dublin. Despite precious little territory and 30% possession all game, the Wallabies led for most of the Test thanks to ferocious tackling, regular acts of courage and unfailing supplies of grit. They lost 22-19 but the showing sent a warning shot to the world.
Given Ireland’s coach, Andy Farrell, and a constellation of stars will lead the British & Irish Lions squad landing in Australia next June for their first tour in 12 years, that’s no mean feat.
Up to that point, the Wallabies had been written off as cannon fodder for the home nations. Now – having shocked England, walloped Wales and put a scare into Ireland – it’s game on.
Much of that is down to head coach Joe Schmidt and his staff who have rebuilt the Wallabies piece by piece. Scrum guru Mike Cron has forged a five to challenge any pack in the world. Geoff Parling has transformed the lineout and set-piece into a consistently lethal weapon. And mad wizard Laurie Fischer has alchemised fierce defence into a feral attacking threat.
Schmidt has left no stone unturned to find the characters to restore the Wallabies’ character. He spun gold from the Eddie Jones scrapheap of Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau and Tom Wright, roused sleeping giants in Will Skelton and Jeremy Williams, all while empowering a core of older champions in Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, a captain with gusto.
The Irish believe in “an old dog for a hard road” and in appointing Schmidt, 59, in January, Rugby Australia heeded the proverb. The calm and affable former schoolteacher is a rugby journeyman with a gift for coaching good players to greatness while mentoring boys to men. He has taken New Zealand and Ireland to the top and he’s on his way again with Australia.
But Schmidt’s contract climaxes with the Lions tour next June. That is his end goal and he’s halfway there. He’s also halfway home to a family (and a fly fishing rod) that need him too. The problem for RA is the Wallabies are only one year into a four-year march to the home World Cup in 2027 and there isn’t a coaching heir within cooee of doing what Schmidt can.
He is a father above all, and his son has a severe form of epilepsy that requires vigilance. No one would begrudge Schmidt that call of duty, least of all the young men he has inspired these past 12 months. Schmidt has also, with RA director of high performance Peter Horne, laid vital groundwork for the future crops of Australian rugby stars, male and female.
Some leaders are built to hold the line, others are visionaries to lead revolutions. Schmidt signed on as the former but having achieved so much, may hunger for the latter. When the Wallabies ship was listing, he held her steady in the storm and found blue skies. But to lead Australia to World Cup glory in Australia before sailing into the sunset? Tempting.
For now Schmidt remains in Ireland with family but has promised RA a decision this month. Will he stay or will he go? No one, including Schmidt, seems to know. The Irish believe the “longest way around is the shortest way home” and Australian rugby has been on a long low road for too long. Schmidt has it heading to a higher place, but will he go the extra mile?
