Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt believes the failure of a young No.10 to make a compelling case to own the spot for The Rugby Championship is a mental issue – but he’s committed to backing the three men used over the opening three Tests.
Ben Donaldson started during the Wallabies’ 40-29 win over Georgia on Saturday in Sydney after Noah Lolesio had the jersey in the two-match series against Wales, while Tom Lynagh also had some minutes before being hampered by a hamstring injury.
Schmidt understands the intensity is about to soar against South Africa, Argentina and the All Blacks – but says he’ll resist the temptation of parachuting in an experienced No.10.
Ben Donaldson struggled against Georgia at Allianz Stadium on July 20, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
“That is definitely one that we’re going to have to look back and have a think about,” Schmidt said of assessing the No.10s.
“Both guys who played tonight and Tom Lynagh, the three guys, they are working hard. For them, there’s a lot of expectation because they tend to drive the game.
“They have a pretty busy week. One of the things as coaches, our responsibility is to lighten their week so they can get their skill repetitions in because it’s probably some of those smaller skills. There were a few kicks tonight that we know can be better.
“We’ve seen them kick them better and hopefully that will be demonstrated in three weeks’ time.”
Asked if the clear tentativeness on show from the trio of young 10s was mental or skillset related, Schmidt said: “I do think it’s a mental thing.”
“There’s a lot being asked of the 10s at the moment and I do think that they’ll have the opportunity to improve when they can be clearer.
“It’s a little bit cluttered for them at the moment because they drive the team around, they’re trying to make decisions on the fly and then also execute their skill. I thought as the game went on, Ben Donaldson kicked better and better, kicked better at goal, kicked better for the line.
“And Noah probably just tried to take a little bit too much out of the one that he put dead in goal. So I encourage them to go into that five-metre channel. We want to be able to get those line-outs as close as we can for the big men to have a crack from.”
James O’Connor, who told The Roar Rugby podcast midweek that he wanted to play for the Wallabies again, was back in action for the Reds in a close loss to Wales on Friday night but Schmidt dismissed him as an option.
Dave Rennie went back to experienced No.10s in Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley the longer his three-year tenure went but don’t expect the same from his fellow Kiwi.
“I thought James played well last night, did some good things,” Schmidt said.
“At the same time, I think the three guys we’ve got have all had good Super Rugby seasons and it is a step up.
“There’s less space to breathe, but it’s all new to them as well.
“We need to help those 10s be as good as they can be. Tom’s probably had the least time with a bit of a hamstring issue, but I do think those three guys, if we don’t invest in them now, I think it’ll be difficult for them.
“If you put them in and out, they don’t get continuity. They don’t build confidence.”
Schmidt tackled his first three Tests without overseas-based players – but hasn’t ruled out calling for the Giteau Law cavalry for the match up against the Springboks in three weeks.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt looks on during a training session at Concord Oval on July 18, 2024 in Sydney. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
“We’re open to bringing guys in, but we’ve also been impressed with the guys that we’ve had,” Schmidt said.
“While the performances have ebbed and flowed and we’re frustrated by that, but when we’ve flowed, we’ve actually looked pretty good with the players we have.
“If we can supplement that with a couple of guys who make a difference, that’s great. But at the same time, that means leaving someone out who’s contributed really well so far. “
He also declared the auditions were over ahead of the Wallabies’ opening TRC Test against the Springboks in Brisbane on August 10.
“It’s certainly the audition over because I don’t think that we can afford to probably be as loose with the ball to get it ripped off us and probably give up some tries that we’re disappointed with,” Schmidt said.
“Going forward to The Rugby Championship, we’ve learned a little bit more about the players.
“We haven’t had time to have a good look at the game, but whatever decisions we make will be based on three games and three and a half weeks of training with a couple of days in Brisbane before that. But I’m also realistic.
“I’ve been doing jobs similar to this for a long time and the thing that you realise is that things do take time and building combinations takes time. Building a game model that people become familiar with and automate the actions that are required for, that does take time.
“But we’re out of time. We’ve got to be able to deliver against South Africa, which is a whole different level, obviously.”