The departure of Joe Schmidt from Australian rugby has sparked a wave of emotions, with fans and critics alike reflecting on his three-year tenure. Schmidt's departure is marked by a stark statistic: a 61.29% losing record, the worst for a Wallabies coach in over half a century. This record, however, doesn't tell the full story of his impact on the sport.
Schmidt inherited a broken squad and system, following Eddie Jones' disastrous second stint as coach in 2023. The Wallabies had failed to make the knockout stages of a World Cup for the first time, and the team was in disarray. Schmidt's challenge was to restore belief and depth to the national team, and he did so with a stirring third-Test win over the touring British and Irish Lions last year. This victory, coupled with a first Australian win over the world champion Springboks at Ellis Park since 1963, showed that the Wallabies could beat the best on their day.
However, Schmidt's tenure was not without its setbacks. Several near misses against global heavyweights, particularly losses at Eden Park last year against the All Blacks and in the return bout against the Springboks in Cape Town, hurt Schmidt the most. These losses, coupled with a 61.29% losing record, have left some fans and critics questioning his leadership and decision-making. But Schmidt insists that he has left the team in a better position than when he arrived.
Schmidt's impact on Australian rugby goes beyond the results on the field. He has helped to stabilize the sport financially, and there are signs of growth in the number of young kids playing the game. The schools are very competitive, and the national team has seen an increase in belief and depth. Schmidt's ability to inspire and motivate the players, even in the face of adversity, is a testament to his leadership skills.
In my opinion, Schmidt's departure is a loss for Australian rugby, but it is also an opportunity for the sport to move forward. His impact on the team and the sport as a whole cannot be understated, and his legacy will live on through the players he has inspired and the system he has helped to rebuild. As for Schmidt himself, he has left the sport in a better position than when he arrived, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come.
