‘It wasn’t a great day’: Wallabies brace for first Fiji Test since World Cup

Playmaker Ben Donaldson insists the Wallabies bear no scars from their last Test against Fiji as the Pacific islanders loom as a giant threat to Australia’s build-up for the British & Irish Lions.

The Wallabies have just the one match, against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6, to prepare for their first Test against the touring Lions in Brisbane on July 19.

In their last clash at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the Fijians effectively derailed Australia’s campaign in their pool match, cracking their first win since 1954.

Healey on finishing career against Boks

Healey on finishing career against Boks

Donaldson is one of ten players left in the squad that crashed 23-15 in Saint-Etienne and insisted the Wallabies had well and truly moved on.

“It wasn’t a great day for us or Australian Rugby, but that’s in the past now and we just look forward,” Donaldson said from the Wallabies camp in Sydney.

“We haven’t really talked about the past. It’s just about what’s coming day by day, getting better each day as an individual and as a team as well.

“It’s been two years now … a lot of boys have had a lot of growth since then and played superbly in Super Rugby and had Test match experience and we’re full of confidence and we back everyone here in the squad.”

Donaldson felt the pressure of that World Cup had built experience and resilience, which would hold them in good stead against the elite four-nation selection.

“The experience of that World Cup and playing in that Fiji game, that experience itself definitely helped a lot of us moving forward,” the 26-year-old said.

“I do definitely think that most of us have the runs on the board now to be able to go out and execute, and win games against whoever the opposition is.”

The Western Force flyhalf is in a three-way battle to wear the No.10 jersey in the opening Test, up against the Queensland Reds’ Tom Lynagh and ACT Brumbies incumbent Noah Lolesio.

Donaldson said that Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt had been cracking the whip in the camp as competition heated up between the trio.

“This week’s been pretty tough and there’s been some high expectations already from the coaches,” he said.

“Obviously people always say there’s great competition for spots in this squad and that’s the only way you get better, right?

“For us, it’s just about working hard, knuckling down, getting over our knowledge, and really driving this team around.

“We can’t use the excuse that we’re young anymore because we’ve been here for a fair few years so really trying to have that voice in the squad.”