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Allan Alaalatoa opens up on what Joe Schmidt is like after a Wallabies loss

Head coach of the Wallabies, Joe Schmidt speaks during a press conference after The Rugby Championship match between Australia Wallabies and South Africa Springboks at Suncorp Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

For about a second or two during a media conference in Perth on Friday, Allan Alaalatoa stopped to think of a response to a question. “Um,” was the first draw-out word out of the Wallabies captain’s mouth after being asked about coach Joe Schmidt.

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Schmidt, 58, became the Wallabies’ third head coach in as many years when he was unveiled to the Sydney media at a press conference in late January. The New Zealand-born rugby mastermind has since helped bring some optimism back to the Australian rugby community.

The Wallabies started their new era under Schmidt with back-to-back wins over Warren Gatland’s struggling Wales in Sydney and Melbourne. Australia then returned to Sydney’s Allianz Stadium where they survived a scare against Georgia to win 40-29 last month.

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From a journalist’s point of view, Schmidt has always been a pleasure to speak with. The coach has been thorough in his responses and honest when assessing the progression of his Wallabies team, but it’s always interesting to hear from the players themselves.

Australia are coming off a one-sided 33-7 loss to South Africa in Brisbane last weekend, but six days later, they were running around on the field at Optus Stadium in Perth preparing for another chance to play the world champions on Saturday evening.

Alaalatoa, who will lead the Wallabies into battle for the third time this year, was asked what Schmidt is like after a loss compared to a win. The skipper reinforced the point that the Wallabies understand they’re “not the finished product.”

“For us as leaders, he was pretty hard after a win as well. We knew we weren’t where we needed to be early in the year and we kept bringing the focus back on us and nothing’s really changed on that,” Allan Alaalatoa told reporters at Optus Stadium on Friday.

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“Instead, the outcome didn’t go our way (last weekend) and it was a tough learning that way.

“For us, again the coaching staff have driven the fact that brought all the attention back on us, and just making sure that we continue to grow in our game. It does create us opportunities and hopefully tomorrow we get points on the back of that.

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“He hasn’t really changed too much after a win or a loss, but he’s always brought the threats back on us. We know that we’re not the finished product at the moment and we’re building.”

Alaalatoa will captain an Australian outfit desperate to bounce back after last weekend’s disappointing performance in Brisbane. South Africa were unwavering in their dominance as they piled on 33 unanswered points en route to a drought-breaking win at Suncorp Stadium.

The world-renowned tighthead prop will captain a side with a bit of a new-look feel to it with coach Schmidt calling in experienced campaigners Marika Koroibete, Nic White and Angus Bell into the starting side. Bell’s selection is especially intriguing.

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Bell was injured during Super Rugby Pacific in early April. The 23-year-old hasn’t played rugby since but is now set to return against the toughest test of them all. Schmidt is confident that Bell will perform and the playing group share that belief going into the match.

“He’s a big body. We all know the talent that he is and the things that he’s done in this gold jersey. It’s awesome to have him back, he’s gone through a tough time throughout his rehab but he’s trained really hard,” Alaalatoa explained.

“He’s worked with (Mike Cron) Crono and the team at the Tahs to give himself this opportunity. All the boys have got to be beside him and just make sure that he goes out there tomorrow and most importantly just enjoys himself.”

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Patrickhill300 1 hour ago
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Patrickhill300 1 hour ago
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JW 2 hours ago
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Well obviously NZR is not beholden to revenue then Marshall.


And it simply never was a revenue issue. The AFL and NRL milk the ANZACs deaths and sacrifice for their own personal gain, they did not make their decisions based on “the rugby”, it’s all about taking over the day for the financial benefit. Why would NZR want to be a apart of that? We know RA would, but more than ever they are driven by the bottom line, and not the values that will be the factor in NZRs decision.


So you need to get outside you bubble Tim Horan and think about reality. First, did Australians need something to do on ANZAC day (assuming it was for the weekend celebration day proposal) or have they been brainwashed into disconnecting with their mates and connecting with the TV. What purpose does it provide other than financially essentially? Then ask yourself that same question for the communities out side of that, through Aus and then into NZ and around the pacific, world even.


We don’t need your shortshighted aussie brain calling out NZR thanks.


NZR also doesn’t want to destroy a good thing that is SRs revival amongst wider entertainment enjoyer base, and having a SR break/interruption was a big driver towards fans turning off previously. You’d have to wait at least a few years before they feel comfortable in disrupting that again. Actually having it at the beggining of 2027, World Cup year in Australia, might actually be the most sensible thing (though I actually really like Utiku’s idea). It would both drum up support and get the spotlight on rugby early in the season, helping anticipation/buildup for the big event, and more importantly, give the sides an extra game that year to get things right for a tilt at thge trophy.

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