‘Realistic’ Joe Schmidt in honest Wallabies assessment ahead of ‘whole different level’ Springboks challenge
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt before a Test against Wales.
Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt admits that they are “out of time” as they shift their attention to the Rugby Championship which starts next month.
Australia are currently three from three under their new head coach after victories over Wales and Georgia in July.
They secured a 2-0 series triumph over the Welsh before a much-changed outfit managed to defeat the Lelos on Saturday.
The Wallabies were pushed by an impressive Georgian outfit but the hosts managed to get over the line, sealing a 40-29 success in Sydney.
Improvement ahead of Rugby Championship
There have been some positive aspects in their performances but there is also much to work on as they look ahead to the Rugby Championship.
Schmidt admits that they will need to improve significantly if the team are to compete in the upcoming tournament, which begins with two home matches against the world champion Springboks.
“It’s certainly the audition over because I don’t think 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. 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, 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.”
Georgia test
The Wallabies began Saturday’s clash impressively, going 19-3 up after the first quarter, but they were tested from that point onwards.
In fact, the Lelos ‘won’ the last hour 26-21 which shows how much the visitors have improved but also the work Australia need to put in if they are to have a successful Rugby Championship.
“The boys are very happy. We probably didn’t help ourselves with discipline, but we dug deep,” captain Allan Alaalatoa said.
“You have to give Georgia credit. They never went away and we knew it was going to be a tough physical game.”
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