A sense of long-lost optimism appears to have returned to Australian rugby with the arrival of Joe Schmidt as incoming Wallabies head coach.
The national team have been floundering for some time, with last year's woeful World Cup group stage exit a historic low point in Australia's modern history.
Previous head coach Eddie Jones lasted less than 12 months on his return to the job, and rumours swirled long before official word came through that he would jump ship to Japan in the aftermath of the World Cup disaster.
Reports from Sydney midway through the World Cup suggested that Jones had held a preliminary interview for a role with Japan in the weeks leading up to the tournament.
Those reports understandably left Aussie fans fuming amid their worst-ever World Cup campaign, and Jones himself took umbrage with the allegation that he had interviewed for another job while still employed by the Wallabies.
Joe Schmidt this week threw a sly dig at his predecessor during one of his first interviews as head coach of Australia.
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Joe Schmidt laughs off hilarious Eddie Jones question
Schmidt was a special guest on the 'Kick Offs and Kick Ons' podcast, co-hosted by comedian James Rochford alongside ex-Wallabies Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell.
Rochford kicked off the questioning by asking if Schmidt had managed to "fix" Australian rugby in his brief spell in the job thus far - the answer, through laughter, was an understandable "no."
This is absolutely brilliant 😂pic.twitter.com/eNtolmZLdP
— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) March 5, 2024
It was, however, the follow-up question from Mitchell that left the audience in stitches thanks to Schmidt's witty response.
Mitchell jokingly asked the ex-Ireland head coach if he had signed a contract with Japan, to which Schmidt said:
I haven't had a meeting with them!
It was a brilliantly witty response, which sums up how Schmidt appears the right man to bring the feel-good factor back to the Australian team.
Drew Mitchell had previously spoken out strongly to question Jones' decision-making and empty platitudes during his brief stint as Australia coach.
Though this summer will bring the annual Rugby Championship and the natural desire to defeat New Zealand, perhaps the long-term point to aim towards for Australia is next summer's visit from the British and Irish Lions.
The Lions, coached by Schmidt's old partner-in-crime Andy Farrell, will be a stern test for the Aussies - but Schmidt said that he relished the challenge of bringing his team back to the level of the Northern Hemisphere sides who have left them behind in recent years.
I think one of the challenges is that we have to earn the right to get the support at those games.
We're going to be playing a team that's comprised of four nations that are all ranked well above us. In 2013, you had Australia ranked in amongst them, if not above them.
I see that as a fantastic opportunity. Imagine if we could topple them?
You do think a little bit about it but you can't trip over what's immediately in front of you and that is to get the best coaching staff and support staff, and get the selections right as best you can.
Leinster, Ireland, and New Zealand fans will all be able to attest to the brilliance of Joe Schmidt, and it would be no surprise to see him bring Australia back towards the top of world rugby.
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