Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Wallabies players will chase a much-needed Nations Championship victory over the Italy national rugby union team at HBF Park in Perth on Saturday, as Joe Schmidt enters his final match facing the lowest coaching win rate in Australian history.
Joe Schmidt has won 11 of his 30 Tests for a 36.7 per cent return, below Dave Rennie’s 38.2 per cent. Victory would lift Joe Schmidt to 38.7 per cent, while defeat would drop his record to 35.5 per cent.
Australia’s latest backline changes follow the reshuffle that saw Declan Meredith earn his Wallabies debut against France.
Wallabies Focus on Five-Minute Danger Zone
The Australia national rugby union team led France 21-12 at halftime in Brisbane before conceding 30 consecutive points in a 42-26 defeat. One week earlier, Australia surrendered a 24-19 halftime advantage in a 33-31 loss to Ireland.
Those results have placed the opening five minutes after halftime under close review. Australia centre Len Ikitau said players must return from the break ready for an immediate rise in tempo.
“We touched on the first five minutes of that second half, making sure we’re up for it and we’re able to nail the detail and our role in those five minutes,” Len Ikitau said.
Australia lock Jeremy Williams wants stronger contact in defence and slower opposition ball at the breakdown.
“We know we’ve got to work on that second half, and we do that through our physicality,” Jeremy Williams said.
“That’s in defence, making sure we get the double shoulder tackles and slowing the ruck down. That goes a long way.”
Joe Schmidt Approaches Farewell Test
The world No.8 Australia national rugby union team have lost six consecutive Tests and nine of their past 10. The world No.10 Italy national rugby union team will therefore arrive in Perth with reason to believe another upset is possible.
Assistant coach Laurie Fisher remains confident that progress has been made despite the poor results.
“I think we’re on the cusp of being a really good team,” Laurie Fisher said.
Ben Donaldson is set to return after missing the France Test with a calf injury, giving Australia another fly-half option. The date, venue and world rankings are listed on World Rugby’s official Australia versus Italy fixture page.
