Rugby Australia has turned to a familiar face to conduct another independent review following a challenging year for the Wallabies. Meanwhile, injured stars Tom Wright and Tate McDermott have been named in a 40-man squad for a pre-season camp set for early January in Sydney.
The duo missed the Wallabies’ end-of-year tour due to leg injuries, a setback that was keenly felt as Joe Schmidt’s team became the first Australian side to go winless on a four-Test tour of Europe. Although neither Wright nor McDermott is expected to be fit for the start of the Super Rugby season, the January 5 camp will be the sole gathering for the Wallabies before their 14-Test campaign kicks off in July.
Squad Selections and Strategic Moves
Rising prop Massimo De Lutiis, who was also included in the squad in early 2025, stands as the only uncapped player in the group. The selection also features four playmakers, including Tom Lynagh and Ben Donaldson, both of whom missed the Wallabies’ Spring Tour. Notably, no overseas-based players have been included, with the squad comprising 21 forwards and 19 backs.
“The couple of days we have together in early January will provide a final opportunity to look back on, and to learn from, a demanding 2025 Test campaign,” outgoing coach Joe Schmidt remarked. “It also provides a chance to complete some national testing and check in with the players from a medical perspective before they return to their Super Rugby Pacific clubs ahead of the 2026 season.”
Review and Analysis: A Year Under Scrutiny
The Wallabies’ disappointing finish to 2025, marked by losing seven of their last eight Tests, including the final four of the year, will be heavily scrutinized. According to sources, World Rugby consultant Mike McGovern, who has a close working relationship with RA high performance director Peter Horne, will conduct the review.
The absence of key players like Wright, McDermott, and French-based Will Skelton severely impacted the Wallabies’ performance, particularly after their landmark victory against the Springboks in Johannesburg. As the year progressed, Schmidt’s selections and tactics faced increasing criticism, especially following the controversial inclusion of Carter Gordon in the end-of-year tour squad despite his injury-riddled NRL season.
While most international unions regularly conduct reviews, it’s unlikely Rugby Australia will make the findings public.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 2026
The upcoming pre-season camp in January is crucial as it represents the only opportunity for the Wallabies to regroup before their extensive 2026 schedule. The fixtures include high-profile matches against Ireland, France, and New Zealand, among others, setting the stage for a challenging year ahead.
Here is the complete squad for the January 5, 2026 pre-season camp:
Forwards (21)
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Josh Canham
- Nick Champion de Crespigny
- Massimo De Lutiis
- Matt Faessler
- Nick Frost
- Isaac Kailea
- Fraser McReight
- Josh Nasser
- Zane Nonggorr
- Brandon Paenga-Amosa
- Billy Pollard
- Tom Robertson
- Aidan Ross
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
- Pete Samu
- Darcy Swain
- Carlo Tizzano
- Rob Valetini
- Jeremy Williams
- Harry Wilson
Backs (19)
- Filipo Daugunu
- Ben Donaldson
- Tane Edmed
- Josh Flook
- Carter Gordon
- Jake Gordon
- Max Jorgensen
- Andrew Kellaway
- Ryan Lonergan
- Tom Lynagh
- Tate McDermott
- Hunter Paisami
- Dylan Pietsch
- Harry Potter
- Hamish Stewart
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
- Kalani Thomas
- Corey Toole
- Tom Wright
2026 Wallabies Fixtures
The Wallabies’ 2026 fixtures are set to challenge the team as they aim to rebound from a difficult 2025. Key matches include:
- Wallabies vs Ireland, Saturday July 4 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
- Wallabies vs France, Saturday July 11 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Wallabies vs Italy, Saturday July 18 at TBC
- Wallabies vs Japan, Saturday August 8 at TBC
- Wallabies vs Japan, Saturday August 15 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
- Wallabies vs Argentina, Saturday August 29 at TBC
- Wallabies vs Argentina, Saturday September 5 at TBC
- Wallabies vs South Africa, Saturday 27 September at TBC
- Wallabies vs New Zealand, Saturday 10 October at Eden Park, Auckland
- Wallabies vs New Zealand, Saturday 17 October at Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Wallabies vs England, Sunday November 8 at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London
- Wallabies vs Scotland, Sunday November 15 at Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Wallabies vs Wales, Saturday November 21, Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Nations Championships Finals Weekend, Weekend starting November 27
As Rugby Australia embarks on this review and prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will remain on learning from past challenges and building a stronger, more resilient team for the future.
