Wallabies' Coach Schmidt Expresses Optimism in Competitiveness Against the Lions
Refresh: Wallabies Preparing for Lions without Named Captain, According to Coach Joe Schmidt
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is optimistic that Australia can hold their own against the British & Irish Lions later this year, despite not yet knowing who will captain the team during the series.
At a recent press conference, Schmidt confirmed that he will continue serving as coach until July 2026 and announced his plans to hand over the reins to Les Kiss. When it came to the Lions challenge, Schmidt expressed confidence.
"I'm confident we can be competitive," he said. " If we can be within a score with five minutes left, then we're a chance."
Schmidt's conviction stems from Australia's last-gasp victory over England and a narrow loss to Ireland on their season-ending European tour last year.
"Against England, it worked out. Against Ireland, it didn't. But we've got to focus on our performance behaviors," Schmidt emphasized.
The New Zealander also noted that he would prioritize players committed to Australian rugby for selections this season. This could affect the inclusion of players like Noah Lolesio, Tom Hooper, Langi Gleeson, and Rob Leota, who will be moving abroad at the end of the season.
"Clarity is that we'll prioritize them, but nobody is out of the mix," Schmidt stated. "If someone proves themselves, they'll get a spot."
Throughout his tenure in charge, Schmidt has distributed the captaincy among players like Liam Wright, Allan Alaalatoa, James Slipper, and most recently, Harry Wilson. However, he remains undecided on who will lead the team against the Lions.
"We'll get the selection right first, then narrow down the candidates for captaincy," Schmidt explained. "Harry did well, and the others held their own, but we'll see who steps up."
Given the significance of the captaincy role, Schmidt is taking his time to decide. Previous captains like Michael Hooper have been influential figures, but an announcement for the upcoming series has not yet been made. The Wallabies and their fans eagerly await the revelation of their leader for the Lions series.
(It's worth noting that Joe Schmidt is currently the Wallabies coach, with Les Kiss expected to take over in 2026. The captaincy role is often announced closer to the event, and current data does not specify the captain for the upcoming series against the British & Irish Lions.)
A Zealander, Joe Schmidt, has confirmed his continuance as Wallabies coach until July 2026, eschewing the premiership league for a European challenge against the British & Irish Lions later this year. During a conference, he expressed confidence in their ability to contest the series, citing their last-gasp victory over England and a narrow loss to Ireland in their season-ending European tour last year. The New Zealander, however, remains undecided on who will lead the team, hinting that the selection process for both the team and the captaincy role is still underway. Despite the uncertainty, Schmidt has emphasized that players committed to Australian rugby will be prioritized for selections this season. The announcement of the team captain for the Lions series is eagerly awaited by the Wallabies and their fans.
