Following the conclusion of the 2024 Rugby Championship, we update you on the state of the participating nations. First up, it’s Joe Schmidt’s Australia. 

Schmidt took the reins of the Wallabies ahead of the July Tests, but this was by far his biggest challenge as head coach. Despite them struggling to get results in the Championship, their performances have improved – minus the Santa Fe episode – week on week and it looks like there could be a bright future ahead.

Rugby Championship summary

After some steady wins over Wales and Georgia in the July Tests, there was certainly some optimism ahead of the Rugby Championship campaign, but it was a huge step up in quality of opposition – no offence to the aforementioned duo.

They ended the Championship bottom of the table with one win from six games, including whitewashes to South Africa and New Zealand, and whilst they beat Argentina in their opening Test they fell to their heaviest-ever defeat a week later.

Australia began their campaign with a tough clash against the Springboks at Suncorp Stadium, and the defending world champions proved too much as they clinched a 33-7 win in Brisbane; with Hunter Paisami the sole try scorer for the Wallabies on the day.

Round Two of the tournament saw the Wallabies face the same opposition, and they put in a much more competitive showing in awful conditions in Perth. Australia only found themselves two points behind at half-time; but the power of the famed ‘Bomb Squad’ was the difference between the sides in the end as South Africa ran out 30-12 winners. All 12 points of the Wallabies’ points that day came from the boot of Noah Lolesio.

Inspired by the improved performance, the Wallabies headed to South America for a tricky block against Los Pumas, but they began in the best way possible as they snuck over the line with a 20-19 win thanks to Ben Donaldson’s 80th minute penalty. Tries from Jake Gordon and Rob Valetini also proved crucial in the victory in La Plata.

It looked like they would make it two wins from two over Argentina following their fast-start in Santa Fe, but it quickly went downhill. The Wallabies raced into a 20-3 lead in the opening 30 minutes thanks to tries from Carlo Tizzano and Andrew Kellaway, plus 10 points from the boot of Donaldson, however Argentina rallied to inflict a heavy 67-27 defeat on them – their heaviest ever.

Rounding off their campaign was the Bledisloe Cup fixtures with historic rivals New Zealand. It looked like they were for another massacre at the hands of the All Blacks in the opening Test as they fell 28-7 behind; but in a reverse of their previous fixture they rallied to put in a competitive showing. Whilst they still fell to a 31-28 defeat, their ability to come back into the game is certainly a positive.

In the final Test in Wellington, the Wallabies again got off to a fast start, and led 10-5 at one point thanks to tries from Fraser McReight and five points from Lolesio off the tee; but New Zealand stepped it up a gear and eventually walked away 33-13 winners. Despite the scoreline, Australia again put in a competitive performance and could have scored more.

Whilst they only won one of their six games this Championship, they have remained competitive for the most part, which will put them in good stead heading into the November Tests.

Stan

Whilst McReight only started their final two Tests, he was exceptional in both and showed why he is the locked-in starter at openside. His work at the breakdown proved a real thorn in the All Blacks’ side, and he also packed a punch in the contact area too.

Another member of the Wallabies pack who made an impression this Championship was loosehead Angus Bell. The Waratahs prop was thrust into the starting line-up from Round Two, and he gave a decent account of himself in each game and quickly became a key man in the front-row. He was outstanding in the scrum, against some meaty packs, and also got heavily involved in the defensive efforts.

Success story

As alluded too earlier, the main success story is probably the emergence of skipper Wilson. Prior to Wilson being given the armband, Schmidt have tried James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa and Liam Wright as captain, but the squad seems a lot more settled with Wilson as skipper.

Whilst it might seem like a small thing to point out as the success story, it certainly should be celebrated as one. Having a consistent captain is so important at Test level as it gives them stability in this area, and it will be vital in pulling this Australia side together quickly ahead of the November Tests. Wilson is still developing as a captain, but that reflects the state that this current Wallabies side are in now too, and this is vital in ensuring they can have a successful rebuild.

Despite his age, Wilson has some decent experience under his belt already – with 19 caps to his name for the Wallabies and 70 appearances for the Reds in Super Rugby, but he has more to come in him as well.

Main regret

Results might seem the obvious choice here, but consistency was certainly Australia’s main issue this Rugby Championship. When Australia played well, they had the opposition on ropes, but they couldn’t put this together for a full 80 minutes to really make the most of it.

This is perfectly shown in their defeat to Argentina and the two defeats to the All Blacks. They were able to rack up a score pretty quickly when they put some phases together, but when they slipped off their standards they allowed the other team to run away with the game, which should be a huge regret for them.

dout players

The clear standout players from the Wallabies come in the back-row, with Harry Wilson, Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight all showing heaps of quality throughout the Championship.

Starting with Wilson, the number eight took on the captaincy in Round Two, and he certainly led from the front throughout. He worked tirelessly in the tight, and was one of his side’s chief ball-carriers. His leadership s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s were also decent for a rookie skipper, and he will only get better in this moving forward.

Likewise with Valetini, who is showing himself to be a proper talent in the six jumper. He complimented the work of Wilson brilliantly, and brought heaps of power to their pack to get them over the gainline.

This lack of consistency really 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁ed their campaign.

Results

Australia v South Africa (lost 33-7)

Australia v South Africa (lost 30-12)

Australia v Argentina (won 20-19)

Australia v Argentina (lost 67-27)

Australia v New Zealand (lost 31-28)

Australia v New Zealand (lost 33-12)