‘That’s a dip we can’t afford’: Schmidt after Wallabies lose to Italy

Joe Schmidt has been left feeling “pretty gutted” after the Wallabies’ shock 26-19 defeat to Italy in Udine, believing the “flat” performance has come at a costly time with Tests against Ireland and France still to come.

After last weekend’s 25-7 loss to England at Allianz Stadium, the Wallabies looked to bounce back against the Azzurri, who they hadn’t faced in three years. Australia suffered a one-point upset to the Italians on November 3, 2022, at Florence’s Artemio Franchi Stadium.

Paolo Garbisi converted four penalties inside 50 minutes as the home side drew level with the Wallabies at 12-all, before the visitors regained the lead during the second term. Carter Gordon scored a key try, which was converted by Andrew Kellaway.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was shown a yellow card around the 60-minute mark, and Italy made the most of their one-man advantage. Monty Ioane scored a decisive try followin an effort from winger Louis Lynagh, before the Azzurri held on for a historic triumph.

“We just looked a bit flat. I said progress isn’t linear but that was a flat performance. That’s a dip we can’t afford to have and we’ve got two massive games coming up now,” Schmidt said post-game on Stan Sport.

“I think we’re going to have to just recuperate as best as we can and throw everything into the Irish game.”

Garbisi knocked over two early shots at goal before front-rowers Matt Faessler and Angus Bell crashed over for crucial tries. With Kellaway adding the extras after Bell’s effort, the Wallabies took control 12-6 on the scoreboard.

Three points separated the teams at the break, before Garbisi’s fourth penalty of the match made it 12-all. Gordon ran in for a five-pointer to give the Wallabies an advantage yet again, but their lead was short-lived.

After Suaalii was yellow-carded, Italy scored a try one minute later. Lynagh, who is the brother of Wallabies fly-half Tom Lynagh, crossed before former Melbourne Rebels flyer Ioane had the Azzurri in the driver’s seat with about 20 to play.

Italy repeated their heroics from three years earlier, while the Wallabies have suffered back-to-back defeats for the second time this year. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup Draw less than one month away, that result could not be more important.

“I felt we went side to side a little bit and once we got behind, we probably overplayed. When we did try to put the ball in behind, we put it out on the full a couple of times, didn’t quite find touch another time” Schmidt explained.

“It just means that we allow them to have access back into our half… they accumulated those four penalties in the first half, then we matched it with two good tries, but then second half we kind of felt we overplayed, but we were static.

“We really need to go back and just try to get a little bit more energy about us, particularly around that breakdown. We should not be giving up those breakdown penalties.

“I felt the yellow card was crucial. We’ve got to be good enough not to give that away. Once we did that, just a man down, they got a little bit excited in that period and we let the game slip away from us.”

Australia’s mammoth international campaign will come to an end in a fortnight, taking on Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on November 15 before a clash with France on November 22.

The Wallabies started their season with a last-gasp win over Fiji in Newcastle before their three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions.

Then there’s The Rugby Championship, which started with an incredible comeback win over the Springboks in Johannesburg, and another thrilling victory against Los Pumas in Townsville.

“We’re not looking for excuses. We’re just going to try to dust ourselves off and fire into the next one,” he added.

“I remember last year, coming to that Ireland game we’re starting to struggle a little bit to get up and go again.

“It’s not a surprise. We’ve just got to manage the fuel and try to make sure we can get a better finish than we did this weekend.”