Wallabies 2025

[TSR]

For me it's the obvious improvements in basics, cohesion and team harmony/happiness/culture. Others will say it's all about wins/losses but those wins don't come without the 3 above improving... they lead onto everything else.

After an absolute disaster RWC they only got one real flogging... by the Argies. They were easily beaten by the best team in the world twice. Had an average loss to NZ however narrowly missed out by 3 in the other match. Scotland was always the big worry for me on the EOYT, more so than Ireland. Scots were on fire and Aus were well off. Lost by 3 to Ireland at the end of a long tour. Beat England at home for the first time in donkey years in an absolute classic.

Given where they were 12 months ago, by my metric, I'd call it a successful year. Many will disagree with me.

Comparing apples to apples they lost to Wales by 30+ 12 months prior to beating them by 30+ away. While also defeating then 3 more times earlier in the year. Yep Wales stink, but so did we 12 months earlier.

It's also the way the team actually played on that EOYT. Mostly played smart, tough, skillful and (when appropriate) exciting rugby. Something I haven't seen from the Wallabies in a few years. They backed themselves at some key moments but probably overdid it at others. That all comes from confidence individually and as a team. I'm sure as the group grows they'll become smarter about when to pull the trigger and when not to.

The big worry for me is defence. Individually they're all good Defenders however as a group just too inconsistent. This needs significant improvement.

Like I said, for me it's improvement. Great strides were made last year. No real good will come from changing the coach again after the Lions. They need consistency. Schmidt is the guy IMO. Exactly what this group needs. The players respect him and enjoy playing under him, I think he's great with the press, quite open. He's also willing to try something new and give people a shot. There's a good balance to him.

Hopefully he can stay on while continuing to take care of his family, which is understandably his priority.

Good post.

Am I correct that the biggest area of benefit in Ben Darwin’s theory of cohesion is supposed to be defence?

 

[Ignoto]

Doesn't matter how much cohesion you have if you play with Fishers TRC defensive pattern.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Very sorry to see Joe go, but happy that he's been able to stay on for the RC tests.

In relation to his replacement, I am comfortable with any of Larkham, Kiss or McKellar taking over the reins, just not Cheika. Personally, I think Larkham is best qualified, but won't be at all upset if he remains with the Brumbies. Kiss apparently is well looked upon, but the truth of the matter is that he's done nothing yet at the level below test HC. Dan the man similar. There will be an anticipated outcry, of course, if Kiss misses out because in the eyes of many of the Reds supporters here and on the Roar he is the next best thing after sliced bread. If he gets the gig, then good luck to him and the Wallabies. But his credentials are really not any better than either of Larkham or McKellar.

A number of the more thinking Reds fans here also recognise the downside for the Reds if Kiss is selected.

Whomever gets the nod, I hope they get the opportunity to work with Joe during the Lions tests and over the course of the RC.

 

[Ignoto]

I think Australian rugby will be worse off overall if any of our super coaches are pushed up this year.

Les has barely done two seasons with the Reds, Bernie and Dan have not had any success outside of the Brumbies set up.

Australian rugby would be better off allowing Bernie and Dan continue their development considering they are quite young.

Les would be better off continuing to build at the Reds for the next two years and look to transition into a Head of Rugby role to guide the next generation through.

It's an external hire in my mind we need.

 

[cyclopath]

Obviously the Lions tour is a big carrot for a coach.
But I can't help but feel that it might be a flaming turd in this case - a new coach has the pressure of that, then a home RWC in 2 years. Given how ordinary the Wallabies have been, we may not get the best menu from which to choose. I agree with @Ignoto that it might not be in Aus rugby's best interests to prematurely promote one of the Super coaches.
I have no anger to Schmidt - I understand his position.
But it still sucks.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I am known around these parts for being accurate and reasonable.

 

[Sully]

I honestly think we should sound out Vern Cotter, or at least ask Joe what he thinks.

 

[Strewthcobber]

So the new coach will get 9 or 10 tests in charge before a home world cup. That's a tough gig, especially if you are doing it in a Schmidt shadow if he hangs around consulting

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I honestly think we should sound out Vern Cotter

I honestly think we should sound out Vern Cotter

I honestly think we should sound out Vern Cotter

 

[Jimmy_Crouch]

What’s Leon MacDonald doing? Also it’s not just the head coach it is the team around them.

 

[Tomikin]

So the Wallabies were for Schmidt a kind of transition to retirement gig? Great. Can't deny how low we had fallen, but seriously....

Thats such a shit take, he came in, when we were in the shitter and built us to a team that can take on anyone.. Thanks Joe.

 

[PhilClinton]

Well the Lions series becomes even more important now.

If we go 0-3 and have Joe on the way out, the new coach is really walking into the fire in terms of the task at hand to prepare for a 2027 home World Cup.

If we manage to put up a fight or god help us even win the series, it’ll show there is still some life in us and changes the whole public mindset about rugby as we head for the flagship event.

The future of Australia rugby will be decided in 2025. SchmidtMania.

 

[oztimmay]

So Joe Schmidt indicating he will only step up until TRC this year is probably the most unremarkable Wallabies thing I've heard all day.
Done so many good things for the Wallabies, but family comes first.

https://www.theroar.com.au/2025/02/06/breaking-schmidt-to-quit-wallabies-job-after-rugby-championship/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIRY6FleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHa1eBMwUJfHYzwgf8XY-AX_bpEDZqMo4gTI-1Xcj3dT980hapdE4h7utZw_aem_R9R8w3EZsj1uUhoqI4HB_Q

 

[tig]

Let's just thank Joe for the wonderful job he has done, wish his family well, and hope we can get somebody nearly as good to replace him.

 

[drewprint]

Very sorry to see Joe go, but happy that he's been able to stay on for the RC tests.

In relation to his replacement, I am comfortable with any of Larkham, Kiss or McKellar taking over the reins, just not Cheika. Personally, I think Larkham is best qualified, but won't be at all upset if he remains with the Brumbies. Kiss apparently is well looked upon, but the truth of the matter is that he's done nothing yet at the level below test HC. Dan the man similar. There will be an anticipated outcry, of course, if Kiss misses out because in the eyes of many of the Reds supporters here and on the Roar he is the next best thing after sliced bread. If he gets the gig, then good luck to him and the Wallabies. But his credentials are really not any better than either of Larkham or McKellar.

A number of the more thinking Reds fans here also recognise the downside for the Reds if Kiss is selected.

Whomever gets the nod, I hope they get the opportunity to work with Joe during the Lions tests and over the course of the RC.

Man you’re an odd cat sometimes BR. Some great posts always mixed in with some pure dribble. No needs for the Reds jabs here. As if you’re not boosting for Larkham yourself (who hasn’t done much success wise as HC either). Far out. I don’t give a shit about this petty provincial crap, I just want someone good.

 

[Adam84]

Shit dude, Reds fans done even want Kiss as Wallabies coach…for a variety of reasons…one of those being it might send you into meltdown for reasons i don't understand.

Personally i don't care which state the coach is from, and i tend to think McKellar should get it over both If that’s the extend of the candidates.

But i eagerly await more parochial debates over the topic.

 

[Adam84]

McKellar for Wallabies coach..

A former Reds player, who has coached the Brumbies and Waratahs… That’s the boxed trifecta of east coast elitism

 

[Sir Arthur Higgins]

None of those three are a great candidate
Let’s clear that up right away.
Go for a proven coach at international level a la schmidt
Proof that an international coach can succeed at wallabies

 

[LevitatingSocks]

Excluding Cheika, are there any proven international coaches available?

If we decide to take a risk, I wouldn't hate the idea of seeing if Felix Jones is interested in taking a role with us.

 

[TSR]

Doesn't matter how much cohesion you have if you play with Fishers TRC defensive pattern.

I dunno. That could be right - but it could also be that the players were making too many mistakes within the pattern. I remember watching at least one piece of analysis that suggested it was players breaking the defence pattern causing the errors, not the pattern itself.

With the benefit of another year to bed it down, a more consistent line up and better cohesion between the players maybe it’ll work fine.

I obviously can’t state that categorically but it’s feasible.