Australian rugby pundit Matt Williams has praised the remarkable transformation of the Wallabies under the guidance of Joe Schmidt. This transformation, he notes, did not require “rocket science” but rather strategic adjustments that have revitalized the team. Williams, known for his outspoken commentary, highlighted the Wallabies’ recent performances, including a victory against South Africa in Johannesburg and a narrow defeat in Cape Town, as evidence of this turnaround.
The Wallabies are now gearing up to host Argentina in Townsville, and Williams, who once served as head coach at Leinster before Schmidt took over in 2010, has offered an in-depth analysis of the changes within Australian rugby. The sport in Australia, home to the two-time World Cup winners, faced a significant setback when the abrupt dismissal of Dave Rennie led to Eddie Jones’ appointment as head coach. Jones’ tenure culminated in a disappointing first-ever pool stage exit at the World Cup in 2023.
Joe Schmidt’s Impact on the Wallabies
With former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt stepping in for the 2024 season, following his role as an assistant with the All Blacks, the Wallabies have seen a notable improvement. They defeated England at Twickenham last November and showed resilience against the British and Irish Lions, as well as the Springboks in South Africa.
“After the Wallabies came within a whisker of winning the Lions series, then defeated the world-champion Springboks at Ellis Park, Ireland are claiming the Wallabies coach as one of their own,” Williams wrote in his Irish Times column.
Williams humorously noted the Irish enthusiasm for Schmidt, despite his Kiwi roots, and emphasized that Schmidt’s contributions deserve recognition. “Schmidt deserves every piece of praise that comes his way,” he asserted, pointing out that the path to transforming the Wallabies involved fundamental, yet effective, changes.
Strategic Changes and Fitness Focus
Williams delved into the reasons behind the Wallabies’ resurgence, highlighting Schmidt’s strategic appointments of experienced coaches like Mike Cron and Laurie Fisher. These seasoned professionals were crucial in guiding a young team that had lost its identity and confidence.
For years, Williams believed that the Wallabies lacked the basic rugby principle of fitness compared to their global counterparts. “An absolutely crucial aspect of the Wallabies’ improvement is that Schmidt has worked these Wallabies into supreme condition,” he noted. This focus on fitness has elevated the team’s self-belief and confidence, which are essential components of their recent success.
Consolidating Talent and Experience
Schmidt’s tenure has also benefited from strategic decisions made by Australian rugby authorities. The controversial but necessary decision to cut the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchise allowed for a concentration of talent across four Super teams. This move paid dividends, as Australian Super teams performed significantly better in 2025.
Schmidt has maintained a core group of players, including captain Harry Wilson, and has advocated for the return of key overseas players like Will Skelton to the Wallabies lineup. This policy has been vital for a rugby nation with a limited talent pool.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite these successes, Schmidt’s leadership has not been without challenges. Williams acknowledged a record loss in Argentina as a low point but remained optimistic about the team’s future. “The culmination of all of these decisions is that Schmidt now has a competitive group of about 25 international quality players that he can select from,” Williams concluded.
“The essence of Schmidt’s metamorphosis is not just that the Wallabies have won. It is that his Irish attacking plan of 2019 can only be found in the history books, and he has returned the Wallabies to a style of game that is uniquely Australian,” Williams praised.
The Wallabies have embraced a style of intelligent, running rugby that resonates with Australian tradition and spirit. While challenges remain in the season ahead, Williams confidently declared, “Well done, Wallaby Joe.”
As the Wallabies prepare for their upcoming matches, the rugby world watches closely to see if Schmidt’s strategic revival will continue to yield results, reinforcing Australia’s position on the global rugby stage.
