Wallabies to go ‘local’ under new coach

To achieve his “massive target” of ensuring Australia is “competitive” against the British and Irish Lions next year, new Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is set to rely heavily on Super Rugby Pacific players rather than select overseas-based stars.

Despite having a busy 2024 schedule in his maiden year as Wallabies coach, Schmidt is already looking further ahead as he admitted he probably wouldn’t know his best team until December.

However, it’s a line-up seemingly set to be dominated by Australia-based talent rather than those plying their trade at overseas clubs.

“It probably isn’t something we’ve planned,” Schmidt said when asked if he would select any overseas-based stars for the Wallabies’ two Tests against Wales in July.

“We’ve always ben consistent in the messaging around prioritising the players who are playing locally and the reasons for that.

“We do definitely want to select from what is currently available in Australia. I wouldn’t rule it (selecting overseas-based players) out completely but it’s not our priority.”

It’s a selection theme set to continue next year when the Lions tour Australia.

“We want to be as competitive as we can be when the Lions arrive,” Schmidt said.

“That’s my massive target. That’s the pinnacle event. How do we do that? We make sure that we can get as much time with the players, and the players have that time and combinations that they play in at their Super Rugby clubs so that we can build the cohesion that we’re going to need.

“Our priority is the home-based players.”

New Zealander Schmidt is pleased that three of the Wallabies’ six home Tests this year will have afternoon kick-off times, including matches against New Zealand and world champions South Africa.

The Wallabies’ Rugby Championship clash with the Springboks on August 10 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will start at 2.45pm, while their September 21 Bledisloe Cup battle with the All Blacks at Sydney’s Accor Stadium kicks off at 3.45pm.

“The afternoon kick-offs will create a great atmosphere for players and supporters and we look forward to seeing plenty of gold jerseys in the stands throughout the year,” he said.

“It (also) allows the games to be played in slightly drier conditions, and allows the tempo of the game to be just a little bit quicker.”

While admitting it would be a “little awkward” coaching against New Zealand, Schmidt said he was “motivated” to ensure rugby was as strong as possible in “this corner of the world”.

“That’s a corner we share with the All Blacks, not a corner where we can live in isolation,” he said.

“One of the ways to help each other is try to be as competitive as we can be against each other.

“There’s certainly been a lag on our side of the Tasman, and we’re going to try to roll our sleeves up and close the lag as much as we can.”

Wallabies 2024 Home Tests –

July 6: Australia v Wales, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 7.45pm (AEST)

July 13: Australia v Wales, AAMI Park, Melbourne, 7.45pm (AEST)

July 20: Australia v Georgia, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 3:45pm (AEST)

August 10: Australia v South Africa, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 2.45pm (AEST)

August 17: Australia v South Africa, Optus Stadium, Perth, 7.45pm (AEST)

September 21: Australia v New Zealand, Accor Stadium, Sydney, 3.45pm (AEST)