Running to stand still: are Schmidt's Wallabies going forward or backwards?

The results of the last few months have definitely, if unfairly, turned up the volume of Joe Schmidt's critics, who have grown frustrated by the Kiwi coach's opaque selections, particularly at 10

PLAYING CATCH UP: Ireland's hooker Ronan Kelleher is chased down by Australia's Harry Potter and Billy Pollard in Saturday's test match at the Aviva Stadium. The defat has punctured the bubble of positivity around Wallaby rugby. Pic: Paul Faith/ AFP

Since taking over the Wallabies in the middle of 2024 - after a disastrous Rugby World Cup - Joe Schmidt has spoken often about the fickle nature of a rebuild.

"Progress is never linear," Schmidt often says.