In case you’ve been living under a rock, this evening’s Test is Joe Schmidt’s final match in charge of the Wallabies.
The drawn-out transitional phase will finally end, with Les Kiss soon to take the reins.
How will Schmidt be remembered as Wallabies boss?
It’ll be a complicated legacy as his win-loss record as coach can’t be ignored.
Ahead of the Italy Test, Schmidt has won only 11 of 30 Tests with the Wallabies.
Defeat against Italy would mean he finishes with the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era.
It must be acknowledged Schmidt had to pick up the pieces after the Wallabies’ disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, when they failed to advance from the pool stage under then-coach Eddie Jones.
He took over a squad experiencing a crisis of confidence.
There have been famous wins during Schmidt’s tenure, such as the 38-22 triumph over the Springboks at Ellis Park last August, and the 42-37 upset of England at Twickenham in 2024.
But consistency has been lacking, with the Wallabies losing nine of their past 10 Tests.
A win over Italy will at least give Schmidt a positive note to end his time as Wallabies coach.
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