The Wallabies are nearly halfway through the 2024 season, and the results so far have been quite varied. Three wins against weaker opposition preceded two heavy losses against the World Champs. So, let us take stock of what we have witnessed from Joe Schmidt’s first five Tests in charge.
What the Wallabies have
Discipline Issues
While the Wallabies’ discipline is comparatively better than previous years, there is still much to improve upon. Only once this season has their penalty count been in single digits, with the bulk of those infringements coming in the first 60 mins. It’s not entirely coincidental that the Wallabies have conceded just over 27 points on average so far this year.
Variation in the lineout
The forwards have been studying that playbook! The variation in lineout jumpers, often utilising their tall backrowers, have placed less pressure on the second row. The Wallabies have seldom had their lineout stolen, rather when they have lost possession it has been due to poor throws. ‘That’ comedic attempt at a lineout in the 2023 Rugby World Cup match against Wales in Lyon feels like a distant memory now.
Accuracy at the ruck (mostly)
Schmidt-ball is in play, and that means ball retention. The Wallabies in 2024 have attacked with a high-number of phases, often in tight with the forwards, with the recent addition (from the Georgia Test onwards) of tip passes and offloads. This has only been made possible by their accuracy in clean-outs, something that has been missing from the Wallabies’ arsenal for the last decade. They aren’t completely rid of these issues though – highlighted by a number of attacking ruck infringements in the South Africa Tests.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
A good goal kicker (except for that one kick before half-time)
Consistency from the kicking tee has evaded the Wallabies since Matt Giteau got the yips at Murrayfield in 2009. The Perth Test highlighted the advantage that Lolesio’s goal kicking can provide – despite showing no signs of crossing the tryline, the Wallabies were one accurate kick away from taking the lead. Some of his 45 metre efforts harked back to the Matt Burke and Elton Flatley days, where any penalty in the opposition half was a gift of three points.
A good scrum
The Wallabies scrum came under fire after the Brisbane test. However, despite some penalties conceded during the Springbok feed, the Wallabies actually won all of their own and won two of the Springbok’s scrums. Against the top scrum in World Rugby, you would have to admit that Wallabies scrum handled itself rather well.
What the Wallabies don’t have yet
Playmaking vision
While Noah Lolesio has given solid performances this year, his main weakness has been a lack of vision. Set plays have provided some gainline advantage, but he has struggled to create space for his very talented outside backs. Consequently, the Wallabies’ attack has been very narrow in 2024.
(Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
An accurate kicking game
The ideas are there, but the execution is not. While Jake Gordon has been effective with his long box-kicking, the highballs from him and Lolesio have struggled to land in the sweet spot. Kicking battles from the back-three have often resulted in a net-loss in territory as well.
Weapons
The Brumbies have their rolling maul. The All Blacks have a short kicking game and counter attacking flair. The Springboks have their scum and a bomb squad to keep punishing the opposition for the full 80 minutes. But the Wallabies? That remains to be seen.
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An aggressive defence
Schmidt has been critical of his own team’s periods of passivity in defence this year. A lack of line speed has let the opposition go through their structures without much pressure. If the Wallabies are happy to kick the ball away as much as they have, they will need to find some bite in their defence.