Joe Schmidt is feeling “nervous and a little bit lost” ahead of his last Test as Wallabies coach, desperate for a win to go out on a high against a depleted Italy in the Nations Championship on Saturday night, which kicks off at 8.10pm at HBF Park.
The New Zealander, who assumed control in early 2024 after the disastrous reign of Eddie Jones, will hand over to Les Kiss following the game in Perth and transition to semi-retirement.
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His tenure has failed to deliver the results Rugby Australia craves as it builds towards hosting the World Cup next year, with just 11 wins from 30 Tests.
The Wallabies head into Saturday’s clash on the back of six straight losses after their 42-26 capitulation to powerhouse France in Brisbane last week.
“I’m nervous. I’m always nervous,” said Schmidt, who won three Six Nations championships as Ireland coach.
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“I’d just love them (the team) to put it all together for a long enough period of time. But I know how good Italy are. I think they’re really well coached … so I know we’re in for a really tough battle.”
Australia’s problem has been their failure to capitalise on strong starts, with sluggish second-halves a key factor in both of their Nations Championship defeats. They were ahead 21-12 against France at the break before Les Bleus ran in 30 unanswered points as the stunned Wallabies went to sleep.
A week earlier, they coughed up a 12-point lead in a 33-31 loss to Ireland.
Australia has made three changes with star flanker Fraser McReight benched and Carlo Tizzano starting instead in his home town. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who played 77 minutes last weekend after starting hooker Josh Nasser copped a head knock, has kept the number two jersey while Harry Potter replaces an injured Dylan Pietsch on the left wing.
Italy are similarly chasing a much-needed victory after losing five of their last six Tests, including the Nations Championship openers to Japan (27-10) and New Zealand (47-17).
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They head into the game without coach Gonzalo Quesada who has been suspended for two Tests after lashing out at the referee following the All Blacks defeat.
Experienced lock Niccolo Cannone will also be missing after being banned for four games over a headbutt in last week’s defeat, while injuries have forced fullback Tommaso Allan and No. 8 Lorenzo Cannone to return home early.
It had led to nine changes to the starting XV.
Wallabies XV (15-1): Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan, Harry Wilson (C), Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell (Replacements: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Miles Amatosero, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu).
Italy XV (15-1): Lorenzo Pani, Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Paolo Odogwu, Monty Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Garbisi, Ross Vintcent, Michele Lamaro (C), Riccardo Favretto, Federico Ruzza, Giulio Marini, Marco Riccioni, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Muhamed Hasa (Replacements: Pablo Dimcheff, Danilo Fischetti, Ion Neculai, Andrea Zambonin, Alessandro Ortombina, Alessandro Fusco, Giacomo Da Re, Leonardo Marin).
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