There's a fair argument to say no Test team were bigger improvers year on year than the Wallabies in 2024.
Joe Schmidt's appointment to start the year was the perfect remedy to a 2023-to-forget as the side matched it with the best in the world.
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An excellent finish to the season has fans full of hope heading into a crucial 2025 season that will see all eyes in the Rugby world on Australia.
Rugby.com.au breaks down the key stories and talking points heading into the new year
Will he or won’t he, that’s the big question around Joe Schmidt and whether he stays as Wallabies coach after the Lions tour.
Anyone who is trying to guess what Schmidt will do is just that - guessing - with little news on his decision at the time of publication.
The coach's impact is clear, transforming the Wallabies and the narrative around the team in 12 months.
Schmidt’s re-signing would be crucial for the Wallabies’ push towards a home World Cup.
If he leaves, it’ll leave the Wallabies turning to Super Rugby more likely for a replacement.
The British and Irish Lions series is going to be one of the biggest Rugby events in recent memories, with the Wallabies needing to be competitive to build hope ahead of a home World Cup.
Their Grand Slam tour showed they can match it with each of the ‘Home Nations.’The challenge will be how they deal with the best of the best coming together.
Continuity has been a big talking point for Schmidt in 2024 and could ultimately decide their fate if they can exploit a Lions team full of different combinations.
It won’t be easy, with February’s Six Nations competition proving as a six-week selection audition for Andy Farrell, who steps away from the Ireland job for the time being.
Joe Schmidt used 19 debutants in 2024, The lingering question is how many of those feature against the Lions and beyond.
Jeremy Williams seems a lock after featuring ten times under Schmidt whilst the likes of Isaac Kailea, Max Jorgensen and Dylan Pietsch were used often.
Their position in the squad for the Lions tour comes under threat as former captain Dave Porecki, Filipo Daugunu and Liam Wright return from injury.
On top of this, players such as Tim Ryan, Corey Toole and David Feliuai have featured in Schmidt’s plans in 2024 and will be gunning for strong Super seasons to secure a spot
Outside of a Lions tour, bringing back the Bledisloe is the biggest task for Joe Schmidt’s side in 2025.
The Wallabies pushed the All Blacks until the final siren in Sydney, however, fell short of an all-time comeback.
The two-Test series makes it tough for the Australians, especially with the fixture likely overdue a return to Eden Park.
However, if they can pull it off, it’ll be up there with a Lions win in terms of significance and show the Wallabies are truly back
Speaking of Wright, his return from injury poses an interesting question for Schmidt to answer.
The coach showed remarkable faith in the Reds co-captain by making him captain for their first Test of the year against Wales.
However, complications around a shoulder injury meant it was the only game he played, set to return in time for next year’s Super Rugby Pacific season.
In his absence, the Wallabies seem settled on a back-row combo of Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson.
But if Wright returns in great form for the Reds, it’ll leave Schmidt pondering whether to go back to the flanker and potentially return him to the captaincy.
