Australia kicked off the Joe Schmidt era with a series victory over Wales as they gear up to take on The British & Irish Lions in 2025.
With a year until the Sea of Red heads Down Under, a new Wallaby era has begun under former Ireland boss Schmidt – who is set to go head-to-head with his former assistant coach Andy Farrell next summer.
The New Zealander will have been happy to come away with a pair of victories against Wales for his first two matches in charge, with Australia playing Georgia this weekend before they begin the Rugby Championship.
So following a 25-16 win in Sydney, and a 36-28 success in Melbourne, what have we learned about the Wallabies?
Schmidt’s new faces include a familiar name
The team announcement for the first Test told us plenty about Joe Schmidt’s desire to start from scratch with his Australia team, including seven debutants in his first matchday 23.
That is the most in a Wallabies Test in 44 years since a clash with Fiji, with lock Jeremy Williams and centre Josh Flook starting, while prop Isaac Aedo Kailea, second row Angus Blyth, No.8 Charlie Cale, fly-half Tom Lynagh and outside back Dylan Pietsch all came off the bench.
One of those names, inevitably stands out above all the rest. When the Lions toured Australia in 1989, it was Michael Lynagh at fly-half who nearly steered the Wallabies to a Test victory, kicking 36 points across three matches.
Like father, like son 🤝
Tom and Michael Lynagh became the 12th father-son combo to represent the #Wallabies this weekend 👏 pic.twitter.com/tqVpS0o9rl
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 9, 2024
The Lions came from behind to win the series, the first, and to date only time they have done so, despite Lynagh’s efforts.
There is a chance that 36 years later, it will be the next generation of Lynagh, his son Tom, who could be charged with pulling the strings in the No.10 jersey against the Lions, although Noah Lolesio is currently in pole position for the fly-half spot.
Australian resilience evident
In both Tests, Australia started strongly and opened up double digit leads. In the first they were 13-3 to the good, and in the second raced into a 17-0 lead.
But each time, Wales were able to peg them back. Warren Gatland’s side drew level in Sydney, while they got back to within two points in Melbourne.
In that scenario, many inexperienced outfits would have started to doubt themselves, particularly when you consider a lot of these Wallabies players only met for the first time a fortnight ago.
But it is testament to the character Schmidt is building that they were able to finish both Test matches on the front foot, pulling away to clinch the series.
Maul concerns
Part of the reason that Wales were able to fight back in both Test matches was that their rolling maul enjoyed plenty of success.
They got a penalty try through it in the first Test, and then skipper Dewi Lake crossed twice in the comeback in the second.
Dau gais yn yr hanner cyntaf i’r bachwr o’r Gweilch
Captain Dewi Lake leading from the front!
🇦🇺 36 – 28 🏴
📺 Uchafbwyntiau heno am 19:00 ar @S4C@WelshRugbyUnion | @S4CChwaraeon pic.twitter.com/W4KOi4Lp4D— S4C Rygbi (@S4CRygbi) July 13, 2024
In some ways, that will not be a surprise – building a strong maul defence takes time, particularly with overseas players like Will Skelton not involved in this series.
But given the lineout operators who will be available to Farrell for the Lions in a year’s time, that maul defence will certainly be an area which Schmidt will be working hard to improve.
Kick-chase a non-negotiable
One of the trademark features of Schmidt’s Ireland was that in the tactical kicking game, they were very rarely outplayed.
Whether it was the kicking from hand of Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney, or the chasing by the likes of Keith Earls and Andrew Conway, the pressure on the opposition was always immense.
It is not an area of the game that has been prioritised in Australia in recent years, but that could change.
Filipo Daugunu is clearly a huge talent with ball in hand, but Schmidt was raving about his work off the ball in the second Test.
Filipo Daugunu PUNISHES Wales and extends Australia’s lead! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/StZLnRjwM9
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) July 13, 2024
That was particularly evident with his second try, remarkable work-rate from Noah Lolesio’s kick for touch allowing him to benefit as Liam Williams tried to deny Australia the lineout.
Expect that sort of desire to chase kicks to become a feature of every back three player for the Wallabies.
Stunning tries still part of the fabric
While Schmidt has a very clear idea of how he wants his teams to play, and where they should set up, there is still room for a little magic in Australian rugby.
We saw that in both Tests, as Tom Wright proved the match-winner in the first, while Daugunu finished off perhaps the try of the weekend in the second.
Wright’s ability to create something from nothing is not new, and the full-back showed just how dangerous he can be in open field when sprinting in from inside his own half.
How about that! 💥#Wallabies #AUSvWAL pic.twitter.com/DKnKItsr3z
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 13, 2024
In the second Test, it was Andrew Kellaway who gambled with a chip out of his own 22, before support from the impressive Fraser McReight and then Daugunu – again showing his work-rate – that allowed the home side to hit the front.
However else they develop under Schmidt, Australia will always be able to produce that spark out of nowhere.
