Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has called on Australian fans to maintain their faith after the team suffered a disappointing 26-19 defeat to Italy in the Autumn Nations Series in Udine. This loss marks the fifth defeat for the Wallabies in their last six Tests, with their only victory coming against Japan. The team’s struggles have included defeats by Argentina, New Zealand, and England, underscoring a difficult season for the Australian side.
Despite the setback, Schmidt remains optimistic about the team’s future. “The belief is still there. Don’t lose faith because we’ll keep working as hard as we can to show what it means to us to compete,” he expressed to reporters. This resilience is crucial as the Wallabies prepare to face two of the top rugby nations, Ireland and France, in their final matches of the year.
In the match against Italy, the Wallabies initially led 12-9 at halftime but were hampered by a yellow card to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, which proved pivotal. Schmidt acknowledged that his team struggled to maintain composure during crucial moments of the game.
The Wallabies have played 13 Tests this year, and with a renewed focus on rebuilding and improving, there is hope that their forthcoming matches against Ireland and France will provide them with the opportunity to turn their fortunes around on the international stage. Fans can take comfort in the team’s commitment to hard work and growth despite recent challenges.