Joe Schmidt's tenure as Wallabies head coach comes to a close on Saturday against Italy in Perth, with Australia desperate to avoid a seventh straight defeat. The winless start to 2026 has extended a grim run: the Wallabies have lost six consecutive Tests and nine of their last 10, their worst streak since 2016.
Schmidt's record under pressure
Schmidt began his tenure in 2024 with three home victories but has since won only eight of 27 Tests in charge. If Australia fall to Italy for the third time in a row—following defeats in 2022 and 2025—his win-loss record will drop below 36%. Incoming coach Les Kiss must then take over a shellshocked team just 14 months before a home World Cup.
Schmidt's contract extension into 2026 was meant to ensure a smooth transition. Instead, the team risks chaos and confusion, having to adapt to new methods. Unlike Schmidt, Kiss will not enjoy sold-out home crowds; his first Test will be in Hokkaido against Japan, followed by a return Test in Townsville and away matches in Argentina.
Italy's threat and Australia's struggles
Italy are also winless in the Nations Championship, having lost to Japan (10-27) and New Zealand (17-47). However, they trailed the All Blacks just 10-14 at half-time, a warning sign for Australia. The Azzurri are without several stars—Giacomo Nicotera, Ange Capuozzo (resting), Simone Ferrari, Sebastian Negri (injured), and Niccolò Cannone (suspended)—but boast an elite backline featuring flyhalf Paolo Garbisi, centres Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex, and wings Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane.
Australia have the firepower to match them, but a curse on flyhalves has undermined Schmidt's revolution: nine different No. 10s have been used in 17 Tests. Carter Gordon impressed against Ireland before a calf injury, and Declan Meredith—who earned a debut start against France after building a 21-12 lead—will start again against Italy.
Jekyll and Hyde performances
The Wallabies have shown flashes of backline brilliance in 2026, as they did in a 5-15 season last year. But their inconsistent performances have infuriated fans. Schmidt's injury-plagued run and inability to field a first XV that can compete for 80 minutes have exposed depth and leadership issues. Against world No. 3 Ireland, Australia scored five scintillating tries but lost in clutch moments, conceding a soft try on half-time and missing two penalty kicks in the final nine minutes. Against France, fullback Tom Wright's sin-binning allowed Les Bleus to score three tries in seven minutes.
Schmidt has one last chance to recapture the form that shocked world champions South Africa 11 months ago. “I want to leave the house in good order,” he vowed last week. “You don’t take on jobs like this to come second. I’m incredibly competitive. I just want these guys to get a little bit of reward.”
