Joe Schmidt has overseen progress since taking the reins but no one at Rugby Australia HQ will be grinning until its teams start winning

The art of simplicity is a puzzle of complexity. After nine months and nine Tests in charge of the Wallabies, Joe Schmidt has slotted a few pieces in place on his way to finding the big picture solution Australian rugby has lost sight of these past 25 years. But a 4-5 win-loss season makes clear to all that vexing holes remain on field and off.

Australia began 2024 by beating Wales twice and Georgia once in Tests at home. They then lost the Bledisloe Cup and finished last in the Rugby Championship, losing both Tests against New Zealand and South Africa and splitting a series 1-1 with Argentina. All these results were expected, as was the improvement on show across all the series.