Australia's dramatic 42-37 victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday has sparked a renewed sense of belief within the Wallabies camp, according to head coach Joe Schmidt. The win, which saw Australia overturn a 12-point deficit in the first half and recover from a late try by Maro Itoje, marked a significant moment for the team after a turbulent period in international rugby.
Heading into the Autumn Internationals, the Wallabies were under immense pressure following a disappointing Rugby Championship campaign. With five losses in six matches, including a demoralizing 67-27 defeat to Argentina, Australia needed a positive result to turn their fortunes around. Schmidt acknowledged that his team had questions to answer, but their resilience against England demonstrated their potential to bounce back.
Australia’s comeback was especially impressive considering their struggles earlier in the year, with Schmidt noting that the team’s performance in the latter stages of the game was much improved from their narrow 31-28 loss to New Zealand in September. "I feared that we were going to have something similar again today at one stage," Schmidt admitted, reflecting on past disappointments. However, the Wallabies showed grit, and the late try by Max Jorgensen in the dying seconds secured a vital win.
Schmidt highlighted several "green shoots" in Australia's development, pointing to areas where progress was being made. However, he also stressed that there were aspects of the game that still needed improvement. He sees the team's current efforts as part of a larger process, with the long-term goal being the British & Irish Lions’ tour of Australia next year.
One standout in the match was Joseph Suaalii, making his debut in senior rugby union after switching from rugby league. Schmidt was encouraged by Suaalii’s performance, calling it a "confidence-boosting debut" and praising the young player's preparation. Despite initial doubts about his selection, Schmidt believes that Suaalii’s involvement will prove valuable as the Wallabies continue to build towards the future.
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