Schmidt's battered Wallabies facing grim 67-year low

The Wallabies maintain there’s still “enough petrol in the tank” as Joe Schmidt’s side face the grim prospect of ending one of the most gruelling seasons on record with a first winless four-Test tour of Europe in almost 70 years.

Australia’s hopes of beating Ireland on Saturday or France next weekend have taken another big hit with Schmidt learning he will be unable to call upon Will Skelton for the final two Tests of the spring tour.

The giant lock sustained an ankle injury on club duty in France over the weekend, ruling out the 2.03m-tall, 145kg heavyweight.

Having already lost to England and Italy, the Wallabies must claim a heavyweight scalp against either world No.3 Ireland or fifth-ranked France to avoid becoming the first Australian tourists since 1958 to lose four straight Tests in Europe. And they must do so without Skelton.

Veteran James O’Connor has joined the squad in Dublin as flyhalf cover after Carter Gordon aggravated a quad niggle in the humiliating 26-19 loss to Italy in Udine on Sunday morning.

Prop forward Angus Bell insists the Wallabies still have “petrol in the tank” even if Schmidt says his side is running on empty after a monster 2025 schedule.

Playing 15 Tests for the first time since 2016, the Wallabies’ sapping program has included three Tests against the touring British and Irish Lions, back-to-back matches in South Africa against the two-time defending World Cup champions, and return bouts against the All Blacks.

It is no surprise the Wallabies are limping towards the finish line with five Tests in successive weeks.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

43 - 21

27 - 17

21 - 42

20 - 13

36 - 14

48 - 33

46 - 19

26 - 19

25 - 7

15 - 19

4

Wins

1

4

Streak

4

20

Tries Scored

15

38

Points Difference

-63

4/5

First Try

3/5

4/5

First Points

2/5

3/5

Race To 10 Points

3/5

The Ireland showdown will be Australia’s 14th in 20 weeks, of which they have won five. Schmidt suggested fatigue was a factor in Saturday’s loss to the Italians, but Bell dismissed the theory.

“We definitely have enough petrol in the tank,” Bell said in Dublin.

“When you play for the Wallabies, when you play for your country, it’s a massive honour, whether you’ve done it once or 100 times.

“Every week is exciting. Every week is an opportunity. I sit here as a 25-year-old, and you never know how many more Tests you’re going to play.

“You never know what’s around the corner. Every time you pull on that jersey, it’s an absolute privilege.

“So, for me, there’s no bigger motivator than playing for country, and I know we’re ready for the next two weeks and we’re going to try really hard to get to resurrect things.”

The Wallabies’ sorry plight is a far cry from last year when Schmidt’s squad beat England and Wales to sit halfway towards a first undefeated grand slam tour since 1984.

Bell said there had been a thorough review of their insipid performance against Italy.

“This morning was really tough, but it’s about not taking it personally and just trying to get better,” he said.

“We have hard conversations even when we win. I remember after the third Lions Test when we beat them, there was still hard conversations happening.

“It’s about being in a professional environment and being with a team that holds high standards.”

Ireland will be without Jamie Osborne after the fullback sustained a shoulder injury in the weekend’s 41-10 win against Japan.

Canberra-born former Brumbies wing Mack Hansen (foot) and centre Stuart McCloskey (adductor) have both linked back up with the Irish squad.

Head coach Andy Farrell, who also has a Test with South Africa on November 22 to consider, will announce his match-day party on Thursday.

Centre Garry Ringrose and Leinster teammate Josh van der Flier are both hoping to prove their fitness after respective hamstring strains kept them out against Japan.
With PA.
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