Newly appointed Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has vowed to target the Super Rugby competition in order to rebuild the national team.
Schmidt takes over a national team at rock bottom following the nine-month tenure of Eddie Jones which saw the Wallabies fail to progress out of the pool stage at the World Cup and finish 2023 with a 2-7 record.
The Kiwi international was coach of Ireland between 2013 and 2019 and was msot recently the All Blacks’ attack coach during 2022 and 2023.
Schmidt is incredibly optimistic about the future of the Wallabies.
“I want the (Super Rugby) teams to be super competitive,” Schmidt told SEN 1170.
“The more competitive they are with the other Australian sides and New Zealand sides, the more confidence they will bring into Wallabies camp.
“Hopefully they can remain relatively injury free because the depth that we need will be tested if we start getting injuries in the same position.
“The more individual progress the players can make through the season will be really important.”
Schmidt enters the role as a highly credentialed coach, having led Ireland to top of the World Rugby Rankings for the first time in their history in 2019.
The 58-year-old has built his brand on resilience and accountability and he declared his time with the Wallabies will be no different.
“The players need to take ownership of their own drive and motivation,” Schmidt added.
“They need to be better day to day and be a little bit more collaborative.
“There needs to be a preparedness to be the glue between players and for teammates to depend upon them.
“I want them to be the best versions of themsleves on and off the field. That would be a fantastic start.
“Winning is an outcome but you don’t have a lot of control over it. You must prepare yourself and establish the process.”
The Wallabies’ first fixture for 2024 is against Wales in Sydney on July 6. The Wallabies are currently ninth in the World Rugby rankings.