Initially stepping into a chaotic setup, Schmidt remembers the monumental task he faced at the beginning. "It was a total clean-out after the World Cup," he recalled. "I knew no-one. So, it was about convincing them we can still get together and be competitive."
"The fundamentals he’s taught us has really just made rugby a lot simpler for us,"
His modest win rate of just under 39% over his tenure shows some progress but falls short of making Australia a serious contender once again. Schmidt witnessed his squads slipping in key matches, attributing it partially to a lack of form echoed from their performances in the Super Rugby Pacific.
Despite this, there were highlights and promising aspects to Schmidt's approach, particularly in nurturing basic rugby principles among his players. Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i, a notable league convert, and Captain Harry Wilson both praised Schmidt for reinforcing fundamental skills, which they believe will have a lasting impact.
"What he’s left for us, the fundamentals of the game, it’s something that will never, ever leave us as players,"
However, the broader issues in Australian rugby remain. The professional structure is top-heavy, leading to inconsistencies at the franchise level. This imbalance has left the national team vulnerable, especially in high-stakes matches against well-rounded teams.
In terms of tactical execution, Schmidt's teams were recognized for their efficient possession game, aiming to build phases and control the tempo. This strategy, while effective up to a point, still didn't elevate the Wallabies to the level of rugby superpowers like New Zealand or even Scotland during the Nations Championship.
Player selection and strategic decisions also drew criticism, particularly around persistent issues like the rotation at the fly-half position, where Schmidt cycled through several players, searching for the right fit without much success.
As Schmidt bids farewell, he remains optimistic about the seeds of progress planted during his tenure. "We actually showed that we could do some things [against Italy]," Schmidt noted, emphasizing the positive strides made both on and off the field. His final reflections point towards a gradual rebuilding phase, fueled by promising junior developments and a stabilizing financial landscape thanks to international tours.
In conclusion, while Joe Schmidt's era did not fully return Australian rugby to its past heights, it laid groundwork that could, with time and continued development, lead to a brighter rugby future for the nation. The challenge for his successor will be to harness these foundational elements and propel the Wallabies back into the upper echelons of international rugby.
