Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has called on Australian supporters to maintain their faith in the team following a disappointing 26-19 defeat to Italy during the Autumn Nations Series in Udine. This latest loss marks the Wallabies’ fifth defeat in their last six Tests, a concerning trend that includes previous losses to Argentina, New Zealand, and England, with only a narrow victory over Japan interrupting their tumultuous run.
Despite the team’s challenges, Schmidt remains optimistic. In a post-match statement, he emphasized the importance of resilience and commitment to the rebuilding process, saying, “The belief is still there. Don’t lose faith because we’ll keep working as hard as we can to show what it means to us to compete.”
The Wallabies started positively, leading 12-9 at halftime, but a yellow card given to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shifted the momentum in Italy’s favor. Schmidt acknowledged that the team faltered in key moments, resulting in the costly defeat.
This year, the Wallabies have participated in 13 Tests and are set to conclude their season with two challenging matches against top-tier teams: Ireland in Dublin next weekend and France on November 22.
The team has faced significant changes and challenges throughout Schmidt’s tenure as head coach, particularly following their previous heavy defeats and the necessity for a fresh lineup that adapts to the current competitive landscape. The optimism surrounding the team reflects not just a desire to improve, but a commitment to leverage their recent experiences as learning opportunities moving forward.
Fans can take heart from Schmidt’s determination to instill a strong work ethic in the players, as demonstrated by their commitment to ongoing improvement and the ability to face formidable adversaries. With the upcoming matches against Ireland and France, there remains hope that the Wallabies will harness their potential and emerge stronger from this challenging phase.
Leave a comment