The numbers are in - and Joe Schmidt’s first month in charge of the Wallabies has already seen improvements compared to the final phase of Eddie Jones’ short and chaotic reign.
One is a flamboyant showman happiest in front of a bank of cameras, lobbing up one-liners, bold predictions and occasional blow-ups, all carefully designed for a target audience. The other is a taciturn Kiwi whose idea – before joining the Wallabies – of speaking to the media was some supplied quotes in a press release.
But the Wallabies won all three games, which is the first of many statistical improvements seen under Schmidt. The lineout is still the dominant launchpad for tries – 79 per cent at the RWC and 61 per cent in July – but Schmidt’s Wallabies have been more surgical, scoring 69 per cent tries in three phases or fewer, compared to 45 per cent under Jones.
In defence, the Wallabies were miles better in July than the Rugby World Cup, with an 89 tackle completion rate, compared to 74 per cent at the World Cup. Wales pumped the Wallabies 40-6 in Lyon but could only score a solitary penalty try in Sydney in the first Test.The way the Wallabies are conceding tries has changed, though. All but one of the tries at the World Cup came via set piece possession, but 44 per cent of tries came in unstructured play in July, from turnovers and kick-return.
Compared to Jones’ eclectic coaching staff, with ex-rugby league players and a French halfback as maul coach, the Schmidt camp is stocked with veterans like the highly-regarded Laurie Fisher and Mike Cron.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Wallabies captain James Slipper ready to move on from Eddie Jones’s pointed barbFormer Australia coach told Slipper that forwards had ‘no hardness’, while Wales replace injured Wainwright and Hathaway for second Test
Read more »
Rookie replaces injured Wallabies skipper as Wales call in cricket legend’s grandsonWallabies captain Liam Wright will miss the second Test due to injury, while Warren Gatland and Wales have called up a breakaway with a famous surname.
Read more »
New Wallabies skipper revealed as injuries force line-up changeRugby: Former Manly Sea Eagles player and current Wallabies star Tom Wright has furthered the Aussies lead against Wales with a wicked solo try.
Read more »
The wonder try that put Charlie Cale on the path to a Wallabies jerseyThe Brumbies No.8 has made a habit of embarrassing backs with his extraordinary pace and now he’ll get the chance in a Wallabies jersey against Wales.
Read more »
Why success for Wallabies this year is finishing top of ‘second division’Painfully modest as it sounds, a realistic aim for Australia would be to finish sixth in the world rankings, ahead of Scotland, Argentina and the increasingly solid Fiji.
Read more »
Why success for Wallabies this year is finishing top of ‘second division’Painfully modest as it sounds, a realistic aim for Australia would be to finish sixth in the world rankings, ahead of Scotland, Argentina and the increasingly solid Fiji.
Read more »