Joe Schmidt hasn’t made it easy on himself.
He could have looked overseas to any number of foreign-based stars, including Marika Koroibete and Samu Kerevi for his first Tests in charge of the Wallabies. He didn’t.
He could have selected NRL-bound backs Carter Gordon and Mark Nawaqanitawase. He chose not to.
He could have called up French-bound forwards Ned Hanigan, Lachie Swinton, Jordan Uelese and Izack Rodda. Ditto, England-bound World Cup members Izaia Perese and Josh Kemeny. He didn’t.
All ten aforementioned players could have strengthened the Wallabies’ side for their vital – and easily winnable – matches against Wales and Georgia but Schmidt chose not to.
Joe Schmidt looked past any player in Australia, including Izack Rodda, who was not going to be in Super Rugby in 2025 for his first Tests in charge of the Wallabies. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
By excluding them, Schmidt did three things.
He placed an emphasis on combinations and cohesion by picking from home.
He became the first Wallabies coach in years with the backbone to follow through with his stated desire to pick exclusively from home.
The New Zealander also planted a flag in Australia by telling players that if you want to go, go. But you won’t be picked for the Wallabies.
For some, that won’t bother them.
But, for now, Schmidt’s actions have followed his words dating back to his opening press conference in Sydney in January.
“There was nothing really stopping overseas selections in Ireland, but I know because they’re so close to Europe, that would have been really detrimental to the Irish domestic competition,” Schmidt said.
“It’s a very competitive market in Europe. So we didn’t select anyone who wasn’t contracted in Ireland, and that worked really well for Ireland.
“It’d be great if we can select almost entirely [from] Australia … rather than chase guys from overseas.”
Schmidt has done just that.
By doing so, he’s robbed himself of several quality players.
Rodda’s experience and quality was starting to shine through for the Force over the past two months after two injury-plagued seasons.
Hanigan and Swinton were two of the shining lights for the Waratahs over a horrible year, which culminated in Schmidt picking just three fit players from the sky blue.
Nawaqanitawase was quieter by his own standards but played behind a beaten forward pack, especially at the set-piece, and spent time out of position at fullback.
Koroibete remains one of the world’s best wingers and is enjoying his holidays.
With several first-choice Wallabies like Angus Bell and Dave Porecki injured, Schmidt had more than enough excuses to turn those who won’t be around in 2025.
He didn’t.
Angus Bell is one of a handful of Wallabies on the sidelines. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Whether that decision comes back to bite him remains to be seen.
After all, this is one of the weakest Wallabies squads in memory.
The Wallabies’ second-row candidates have just 45 Tests between them, with three debutants in Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth and Jeremy Williams.
At hooker, there are less than ten caps between Matt Faessler, Billy Pollard and Josh Nasser.
At the same time, Australia’s five Super Rugby sides struggled throughout this year’s tournament, with Allan Alaalatoa working his way back from a devastating Achilles injury and Taniela Tupou not yet showing the form nor fitness to match his potential.
Even in the inside channels, Schmidt has options but no standout.
No Australian player has yet to command the No.10 jersey since Bernard Foley in 2015.
At inside centre, there ares two rookies – Hamish Stewart and David Feliaui – alongside Hunter Paisami, who plays well above his weight and is coming off his best Super Rugby season but has yet to hold down his spot in the Wallabies’ midfield.
If the Wallabies were to face the All Blacks with this squad, you’d fear for them.
Fortunately they’re only playing Wales, who like Australia are a basket case at present, but that was the feeling ten months ago and Warren Gatland’s side put 40 on Eddie Jones’ Wallabies side in one of the ugliest performances by any side to run out in gold.
Wales smashed the Wallabies at last year’s World Cup despite struggling in the Six Nations. (Photo by Andrew Matthews/PA Images via Getty Images)
Schmidt has also somewhat contradicted his boss Phil Waugh.
For the best part of a year, at least since the Wallabies’ World Cup lows, Waugh has been emphasising the need for the nation to get back to targeting the next Test rather than the next big event.
By excluding so many, especially those who were contracted to Super Rugby sides in 2024, Schmidt has gone against Waugh’s desire by looking at the 14-Test runway ahead of next year’s Lions series.
Schmidt doesn’t agree.
“Well, that would be on the basis that you think they should be [included],” Schmidt said.
Pressed on his decision to put a line through anyone leaving Australian rugby, the New Zealander said he was investing in those staying in Super Rugby.
“I’d say we were keen to invest in the guys who are investing in the future here,” Schmidt said.
“And an investment in them, I think, has a longer term payoff.
“In the short term, we’d like to think there’s a bit of a payoff there anyway. We like some of those guys we’ve selected and some of the guys who aren’t there.
“There was a real contest for a number of those positions anyway, whether it be up front or in the backs. And there could still be some movement between now and The Rugby Championship. I don’t think we’ve put a line through anyone.
“We’ve had discussions with a number of them. But they’re taking a path, and it’s their chosen path. And we’ve decided to take a path.
“But that’s not at the exclusion of people. It’s at the inclusion of those guys in this immediate future who are invested in Australian rugby. And we’re very keen to invest in them.
“The door has not been slammed on anyone.”
The July Tests will give Schmidt a great picture of the status quo.
He’s backing himself and fellow experienced operators Mike Cron and Laurie Fisher to upskill the current class.
“I tell you what I have got, though, massive confidence in Mike Cron and Geoff Parling and Laurie Fisher to whatever we have got, to make the most of it,” Schmidt added.
Laurie Fisher and Mike Cron will provide Joe Schmidt plenty of experience and knowledge with upskilling the Wallabies. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“I’ve met those players, and I just think that we’ve got to back ourselves to get the best out of them. And they’ve got to work hard enough to get the best out of themselves.
“That’s probably as simple as I can make the plan.
“I’ve been coaching internationally probably for 10 years, professionally for more than 20, and I know there’s times where you look at it and you think, wow, there’s not a lot of experience there.
“And that’s a risk. And counteracting that is the amount of experience in the coaching team. Some would say we’re even old.”
It’s an admirable stance.
But the proof will be in the pudding.