Wales coach makes Joe Schmidt prediction as they look to end 55-year drought against Wallabies
Wales-defence-coach-Mike-Forshaw-on-Wallabies-under-Joe-Schmidt-Alamy
Wales defence coach Mike Forshaw expects the Wallabies to be a “different animal” under Joe Schmidt than what they were when Eddie Jones was in charge in 2023.
The Welsh were emphatic 40-6 winners against Australia in the pool stage of last year’s Rugby World Cup, with the Wallabies also losing to Fiji in the group.
Australia’s exit at the pool stage for the first time in their history ultimately cost Jones his position, with former Ireland head coach Schmidt now at the helm.
Different Wallabies
Forshaw believes the vastly experienced New Zealander will turn things around for the Wallabies as he looks ahead to the weekend’s opening Test in Sydney.
“They will be a different side, a different animal from the last time we played them,” Forshaw said.
“I think they will be a lot more structured under Joe Schmidt, and they will know exactly what they are going for.
“He is a forensic coach, and we have to be really alive around the middle of the field and at the breakdown. They will be clinical and will want fast ball.
Bold predictions: England to end All Blacks’ Eden Park streak, Springboks to sweep the series
“It is a long time since Wales won in Australia, and they are a different team to play against over here.
“Once an Australian sports team gets its foot on the pedal they really know how to drive it. We will really have to be on our mettle.”
Wales’ drought on Australian soil dates back 55 years as they have lost 11 successive matches to the Wallabies Down Under, the latest being a 20-19 loss in 2012.
Warren Gatland’s men are also on a seven-game losing streak that included a poor Six Nations and Forshaw admits the hope is that this tour turns things around.
“We’ve had a massive shift since the World Cup after losing a lot of senior players,” he said with Wales set to announce their team for the first Test on Thursday.
“We aren’t where we need to be yet, but at the end of this tour, I would like to think we will have taken some steps forward.
“We are in the business of winning rugby matches, and we need to start winning matches.
“When that starts happening, and I am confident it will, we can really develop over the next 12 months.”
After facing off with the Wallabies in Sydney this Saturday, the teams will meet again in the second Test, which takes place in Melbourne on Saturday, July 13.