Wallabies Look to Bounce Back Under New Coach Joe Schmidt
With the Brumbies out of the Super Rugby Pacific picture following their semi-final defeat to the Blues in Auckland, attention in Australia now shifts to the Wallabies. After a forgettable 2023 international campaign that saw them win just two of nine Tests, the two-time world champions are set for a fresh start under new head coach Joe Schmidt.
The 58-year-old Schmidt, who previously led Ireland between 2013 and 2019 and served as an assistant to former All Blacks boss Ian Foster in 2022 and 2023, has kept his plans for the Wallabies close to his chest. However, as the mid-year international season approaches, Schmidt has already held training sessions with players from the Waratahs, Western Force, Melbourne Rebels and Reds, and is poised to name his first squad next week.
“As the mid-year international season approaches, Schmidt has already held training sessions with players from the Waratahs, Western Force, Melbourne Rebels and Reds, and is poised to name his first squad next week.”
Among the potential surprise inclusions in that squad are several young prospects making waves in the bbc rugby union. Tim Ryan, the 20-year-old Reds flyer dubbed the ‘Junkyard Dog’, has been a revelation with his try-scoring exploits, finishing the Super Rugby Pacific season joint-third in the try-scoring charts. Veteran utility back Kurtley Beale, 35, will be eager to earn a Wallabies recall after a 14-month layoff, while rising Reds fly-half Tom Lynagh, son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, could be in line for a step up to the international arena.
- Tim Ryan (Reds): 20-year-old flyer dubbed the ‘Junkyard Dog’, finished joint-third in the Super Rugby Pacific try-scoring charts.
- Kurtley Beale (Veteran utility back): Eager to earn a Wallabies recall after a 14-month layoff.
- Tom Lynagh (Reds fly-half): Son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, could be in line for a step up to the international arena.
Elsewhere, backrow dynamo Charlie Cale of the Brumbies has impressed with his all-action style, while the Waratahs’ towering lock Miles Amatosero, with experience in the rugby union gameplay of France’s Top 14, could be another surprise inclusion as the Wallabies target a strong rugby union news campaign under Schmidt’s guidance.
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