Australian rugby has been rocked by the news that national team head coach Joe Schmidt will vacate his post following this year’s Rugby Championship.
The former Ireland head coach only took the reins at the end of 2023 after Eddie Jones left for Japan following a dismal showing at the World Cup in France.
Schmidt’s debut season in the Southern hemisphere’s rugby championship didn’t go as planned as the Kiwi could only manage his side to a solitary win, and a 67-27 to loss Argentina in round four was the low-point of a championship that saw the Aussies only register one win. That a 20-19 win over the Puma’s in round three.
But by the time Australia arrived in Europe for their Autumn tour, their fortunes had changed significantly.
A win over England was backed up by a thumping win over Wales a week later. A second-string side fell to Scotland, before the front liners returned in a three-point loss to Ireland.
With the British and Irish Lions touring Australia this summer, there was enough evidence shown that after some doubts, this year’s tour could become competitive.
“He’s done a good job as a coach and done a good job with the team in a short time,” says Queensland Reds out-half, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
“A lot of people will be sad to see him go but I think the foundations he has left for the team is something that will stay there and hopefully someone can come in and take that role on.”
McLaughlin-Phillips is yet to feature for the Wallabies senior team but has shown enough promise to suggest that a run-out at test level isn’t too far away.
On Australia’s recent upturn of results the charismatic playmaker said it boiled down to Scmidt just simplifying matters.
“Obviously I haven’t been involved with Joe too much.
“But I think from speaking to players he has just simpled it down and made the footy real easy to play. And when footy is easy to play you can play it really well. So, I think that’s been his greatest asset.”
With the new Super Rugby season just around the corner, McLaughlin-Phillips has an eye on that Lions tour later in the year. And it’s a goal he determined to achieve.
“I think that’s a big goal for me this year. I want to be playing in that series.
“But I have to have a great season before that but that’s definitely a goal for me.”
McLaughlin-Phillips is currently is Belfast as the Queensland Reds step-up their pre-season exploits with a challenge game with Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night.
Last week the Reds, now under the guidance of former Ulster head coach Les Kiss, romped to a 82-21 win over a second-string Bristol Bears.
But McLaughlin-Phillips is expecting a tougher battle this weekend.
“Les has said that it will be very physical very smart team that we are about to play but we are all very well prepared for the team we are about to play.”
