Joe Schmidt's final match as Wallabies head coach comes on Saturday against Italy in Perth, with Australia desperate to avoid a seventh consecutive defeat. The Wallabies have lost their last two encounters with Italy, in 2022 and 2025, and another loss would leave Schmidt's win-loss record below 36% — the worst by an Australian coach since 1995, except for Eddie Jones's 2-9 record in 2023.
Wallabies' Winless Start to 2026
Australia have lost six straight Tests and nine of their last 10, their worst run since 2016. In the Nations Championship, they led France 21-12 at half-time before conceding 30 unanswered points to lose 42-26. The previous week, they led Ireland 24-19 at the break but lost 33-31. Schmidt's tenure began with three home wins in 2024, but he has won only eight of 27 Tests since.
Incoming Coach Faces Tough Task
Les Kiss will take over as head coach 14 months before Australia hosts the Rugby World Cup. Unlike Schmidt, Kiss will not have home crowds in his first Tests; his debut is in Hokkaido against Japan, followed by a home Test in Townsville and away matches in Argentina. Japan, coached by Eddie Jones, beat Italy 27-10 in the Nations Championship opener. Argentina have risen in world rankings after wins over Wales and Scotland, and narrow losses to England and South Africa.
Italy's Threat
Italy are also winless in the Nations Championship, having lost 47-17 to New Zealand last weekend after leading 14-10 at half-time. They are missing several stars: Giacomo Nicotera and Ange Capuozzo are resting, Simone Ferrari and Sebastian Negri injured, and Niccolò Cannone suspended. However, their backline remains strong with flyhalf Paolo Garbisi, centres Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex, and wingers Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane, both former Wallabies.
Australia's Flyhalf Woes
Injuries have forced Schmidt to use nine different flyhalves in 17 Tests. Carter Gordon impressed against Ireland before a calf injury, and Declan Meredith, who debuted against France, will start again. The Wallabies have shown attacking flair, scoring five tries against Ireland, but soft tries conceded and poor discipline have cost them. Against France, fullback Tom Wright's sin-binning led to three French tries in seven minutes.
Schmidt's Final Words
Schmidt, 61, said last week: "I want to leave the house in good order. You don't take on jobs like this to come second. I'm incredibly competitive. I just want these guys to get a little bit of reward." A win against Italy would give him a 36.4% win rate; a loss would drop it to 34.5%. The match kicks off at 7:45 PM AWST in Perth.
