Sleepless nights ahead for Schmidt as first Lions test looms

Sign up now: Get STs newsletters delivered to your inbox

Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - England v Australia - Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London, Britain - November 9, 2024 Australia head coach Joe Schmidt before the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

REUTERS

SYDNEY - Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt woke up on Monday morning to reviews of his teams last-gasp win over Fiji that ranged from lukewarm to savage and the knowledge that the first test against the British and Irish Lions was only 12 sleeps away.

Despite dominating all but the last minute of the first half, Australia trailed the Pacific islanders by four points going into the final couple of minutes before skipper Harry Wilson wrestled his way over the line to snatch a 21-18 win.

Schmidt accepted it was not a display that would have the Lions camp quaking in their boots and conceded he had a myriad of things to keep him awake at night over the next two weeks.

We havent been together for six months, and to have five trainings and to be seamless would be an expectation that I hoped for, rather than believed would immediately happen, the New Zealander told reporters in Newcastle.

So now we have another short runway to try to improve from where we were today.

Injuries are always high on the list of concerns for coaches and particularly for Schmidt given the paucity of experienced players in key positions he was bequeathed when he took over a year ago.

Noah Lolesio, the flyhalf Schmidt has