The Wallabies' Nations Championship July series was a mixed bag, with both triumphs and shortcomings. While the team secured two wins out of three, the overall performance fell short of expectations, particularly against France and Ireland. The series highlighted the Wallabies' strengths and weaknesses, and the need for strategic adjustments to reach their full potential.
One of the most notable aspects was the impressive crowd turnout, with three sold-out stadiums across Australia. This demonstrated the enduring support for the national rugby side, despite the team's struggles. The Wallabies' ability to put points on the board was evident, with 31 points against Ireland, 26 against France, and 57 against Italy. However, their defense was a concern, conceding a total of 85 points, which was outshone by the All Blacks' 70 points.
The set piece was a strong suit, with the Wallabies achieving a 100% success rate in scrums and an impressive 94% success rate in lineouts. This is a significant improvement from their previous performance against Ireland, where they had a 67% success rate. The Wallabies' set piece has been a key area of focus under Mike Cron and Tom Donnelly, and it has paid dividends.
However, the team's selection choices were a point of contention. The non-selection of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and the failure to bring in an experienced flyhalf when Carter Gordon and Donaldson went down were costly mistakes. The Wallabies lacked a real enforcer, particularly after Tom Hooper's injury, and this affected their ability to push the opposition's try line. The team's playmakers, experienced or not, were often forced to throw passes to forwards who got monstered off slow ball.
The Wallabies' overall performance in the July series was a C, with a mix of positive and negative aspects. The team has a lot to build on, and as they farewell Schmidt and Laurie 'the Lord' Fisher, they will feel and know they are heading in the right direction. The foundations are now strong, and the selection pool is deeper and wider than at the end of 2023. Schmidt's departure sets up Kiss to take over and add finesse and excitement on top of a well-laid foundation.
