But there is a Pandora’s Box element for Schmidt to now consider, too.
There are multiple Wallabies starters who are off contract, and who Schmidt relied on heavily last year. And will rely on heavily for the Lions series, too. Think Nick Frost, Fraser McReight, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Tom Wright, Taniela Tupou.
But if Noah Lolesio, for example, decided to play in Japan next year and announced it in May, what would Schmidt do? He pushed his chips in on Lolesio last year and started him in 11 Tests.
Would Schmidt put a line through him too? Could he afford to? Could he do without any of the starters above? You’d think not.
What about a bench player in a shallow position, like off-contract lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto?
The other rationale for such a hard line is using the Wallabies jersey as leverage to keep players in Australia, but some of those players can point out they turned down overseas offers last contract, to commit to Australia in 2025 for the Lions tour.
Suaalii shaping as a fullback in Waratahs debut
The Waratahs got into action with a big win in their first trial on Saturday, overpowering a NSW Pasifica side 73-5 in a largely one-sided hit out at Eric Tweedale Stadium in Granville.
Familar faces like Tom Lambert, Teddy Wilson, Joey Walton and Triston Reilly all impressed, but so too did new recruit Henry O’Donnell at centre, and no.8 Clem Halaholo and lock Felix Kalapu were busy in the pack.
Coach Dan McKellar was happy enough; there were no injuries and with many big names to return this week, it was a more a gauge on the Waratahs’ depth.
The Tahs will roll out Wallabies and Rebels recruits this week against the Brumbies in Bowral. The street-corner tip is Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has been training at fullback for NSW, which would see Max Jorgensen move to a wing. The Tahs have good midfield options in Lalakai Foketi, Walton and O’Donnell.
Sydney to play host for 2027 World Cup final
The host cities for the 2027 Rugby World Cup will be revealed later this week in Sydney, which gives up the poorly-held secret that Accor Stadium will host the final and two semi-finals, as it did in 2003.
Perth’s Optus Stadium bid for the final too but it will host the opening game instead, and may host some quarter-finals, too. Early on, the Victorian government pushed hard for the MCG to host the final and semis, but after an initial bid that was lower than NSW’s anyway, the Vics withdrew altogether. Politically, it was tied to the Rebels exit but more to do with a cut-back on major event spending.
Loading
The folly of having no games at all was recently realised, however, and the Victorian government has been in 11th-hour talks with World Rugby about salvaging a deal to play some pool games and possibly two quarter-finals. Whether it’s too late remains to be seen – early last week no deal had been reached, and other states were keen to take extra games.
There will be games all over Australia, in main cities and regional areas. But it appears Canberra won’t have any, with the ACT government electing to not submit a bid.
