9 Feb 2024

Wallabies start new era under Schmidt against Wales

4:40 pm on 9 February 2024
Former All Blacks assistant coach Joe Schmidt

Former All Blacks assistant coach Joe Schmidt Photo: Photosport

The Wallabies will start a new era under New Zealander Joe Schmidt by hosting two tests against Wales and one against Georgia in July.

Australia lost 40-6 to Wales as they crashed out of the World Cup in the pool stage for the first time last year, precipitating the end of Eddie Jones's brief second spell as coach.

The Wallabies also played Georgia in the pool stage at the World Cup, running out 35-15 victors in one of only two wins in nine tests under Jones last year.

Jones resigned in acrimonious circumstances after the tournament and was replaced last month by former Ireland head coach and All Blacks assistant Schmidt, whose first match in charge will be against the Welsh at Sydney Football Stadium on July 6.

Australia coach Eddie Jones.

The Wallabies bowed out of the World Cup in the pool stage for the first time under Eddie Jones. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The second test against Wales will be at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium the following week before the Wallabies return to Sydney for the first ever home meeting with Georgia on July 20.

The Wallabies will also host two matches against world champions South Africa in the Rugby Championship, facing off against the Springboks in Brisbane and again in Perth a week later.

Australia's sixth and final home test of the season will also be in the Rugby Championship against the All Blacks at Sydney's 80,000-seater Olympic Stadium on September 21.

"The Wallabies will be looking for a reset this year, with Joe Schmidt to lead them against four high-quality test opponents on home soil," said RA Chief Executive Phil Waugh.

RA also announced a bumper home programme for the Wallaroos women's team with Canada and the United States visiting in May and Fiji and world champions New Zealand providing the opposition in July.

-Reuters