The Wallabies have completed the 2025 season in seventh place on the earth rankings, that means they are going to be positioned in ‘band two’ for the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw on December 3 in Sydney.
Australia wanted to beat France by 16 factors or extra on Sunday (AEDT) to complete within the high six and get a extra beneficial draw.
However Les Bleus kicked away within the second half in Paris for a 48-33 win that consigned the Wallabies to their worst Spring Tour in 67 years.
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Tom Hooper of Australia interacts with teammate Matt Faessler. Getty
Largest areas of concern
Discovering a world class playmaker stays the largest problem for the Wallabies.
The image is now murkier than ever earlier than as Joe Schmidt’s first selection No.10, Noah Lolesio, suffered a season-ending damage after which his second decide, Tom Lynagh, was put in cotton wool after head and hamstring points.
James O’Connor, Tane Edmed and Carter Gordon had been then used with various levels of success.
O’Connor, now based mostly in England, was bizarrely out and in of the squad which was mirrored by the dearth of course on the pitch.
It is going to be attention-grabbing to see how Edmed develops below Stephen Larkham on the ACT Brumbies subsequent season however he’s merely not Take a look at high quality in the intervening time.
Tane Edmed of Australia warms up. Getty
Gordon appeals as the perfect guess if he can enhance his goalkicking however he should job share on the Queensland Reds subsequent season.
Australia’s work below the excessive ball was additionally shoddy in Europe whereas the lineout capitulated at occasions.
Ex-Wallabies lock Justin Harrison was important of the fixed chopping and altering within the ahead pack after the loss to Eire.
“That creates instability, which creates uncertainty for hooker, which results in a catastrophic type of efficiency in that essential set-piece time and on the telling occasions,” Harrison advised Stan Sport when analysing the lineout points.
Carter Gordon of Australia performs. NurPhoto by way of Getty Photos
Rays of hope
Gordon’s promising return from the NRL in opposition to Italy is one ray of hope to cling onto.
Namesake Jake Gordon additionally had a robust tour after recovering from a severe hamstring damage that sidelined him in opposition to the British and Irish Lions.
Gordon’s return to type has eased considerations at halfback with Nic White retired whereas Tate McDermott shall be match once more subsequent yr.
Carter Gordon of Australia celebrates. NurPhoto by way of Getty Photos
Fraser McReight strengthened his world class fetcher standing whereas it was pleasing to see Taniela Tupou get some confidence again earlier than beginning his contract with Racing 92.
The tighthead prop has reiterated his want to maintain pulling on the gold jersey every time known as upon.
Max Jorgensen had some spectacular moments together with his sensible solo attempt at Stade de France.
NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar stays spoilt for selection at fullback subsequent yr with Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Andrew Kellaway all reside choices.
Gamers who should elevate to remain in World Cup rivalry
Edmed and Kellaway want robust Tremendous Rugby campaigns to maintain their names in lights for the inaugural rounds of the Nations Championship in July.
We might properly have seen the final of O’Connor in a gold jersey, given he’s now 35 and taking part in in England.
He has had a outstanding profession.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii of Australia is tackled by Eire. Sportsfile by way of Getty Photos
Suaalii shall be one of many first picked however that’s now extra based mostly on potential fairly than efficiency.
He usually regarded misplaced in the course of the tour which is vastly regarding given he starred in his first northern publicity 12 months in the past.
Rob Valetini is one other world class athlete who has dropped off in type throughout an injury-plagued season.
The Wallabies will not win many massive video games with out these two firing.
Joe Schmidt and Les Kiss pose throughout a media alternative at Allianz Stadium. Getty
The teaching conundrum
For people who want a refresher, Schmidt will proceed teaching the Wallabies for his or her three July house Exams in opposition to Eire, France and Italy – all groups which have simply knocked over Australia.
Schmidt will then hand the reins over to Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss.
Wallabies legend Michael Hooper is interested in how the teaching handover from Schmidt to Kiss will work.
The pair are shut, having beforehand labored along with Eire, and Kiss hung out with the group in Europe in a largely observational capability.
Les Kiss at Adelaide Oval. Getty
“What I am listening to is Joe goes to remain concerned however from afar,” Hooper advised Stan Sport.
“So he will have oversight over it. However my concern goes ahead… how is the group, how’s the teaching workers, and the way is Rugby Australia going to handle this transition with the gamers going ahead?
“A whole lot of gamers know Les Kiss, however that is solely Queensland Reds gamers.
“So how’s all this merge going to occur, that is my concern… my hope is that the teachings which might be occurring now aren’t misplaced, when the changeover happens quickly.”
Australia’s Joe Schmidt. CameraSport by way of Getty Photos
Schmidt, whose son Luke lives in New Zealand and suffers from extreme epilepsy, stated he would step apart earlier if that is what RA needed.
“I like these guys, they’re such a very good group of younger males, they wish to do the perfect they’ll,” Schmidt stated.
“Except someone else can do a greater job, I am blissful to step away. I used to be solely actually going to be right here till the top of the Lions after which six days later, we had been assembling to fly to South Africa and I understood that it was very laborious for somebody to return in and all of the sudden take over at that stage.
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“After which due to the very tight window earlier than we even got here away on tour, once more, it’s totally laborious for somebody all of the sudden to return in.
“And as I stated earlier than, I completely admire this group of younger males who’re attempting actually laborious. So if there is a sense that someone else can are available and do a greater job, that is definitely not for me to say.
“I am going to simply play golf a bit sooner, and I will be disenchanted as a result of I believe these guys are working actually laborious, and I believe they’ll proceed to mature.”
Confirmed Rugby World Cup draw bands
Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Eire, France, Argentina
Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3: Georgia, Spain, Uruguay, USA, Chile, Tonga
Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada
