The Wallabies have faced a tough time in recent campaigns, especially at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where they won just one match against Portugal.
However, it looks like they've turned a corner after an impressive 42-37 victory over England in the opening match of their Spring Tour.
A lot of the credit for this turnaround goes to the signings of Joe Schmidt and Joseph Suaalii.
Suaalii, named Man of the Match in his debut for the Wallabies, quickly silenced critics who doubted his readiness for international rugby union. His coach, Schmidt, had full faith in the 21-year-old.
Wallabies fans are now hopeful that the team could make a real impact in future international tournaments.
Speaking to SEN's Sportsday, Wallabies fullback Tom Wright praised Schmidt's influence on the team.
โJoe has brought a real level-headedness, a real assertiveness to the direction that he knows this team needs to go in and deserves to go in,โ said Wright.
โWe've all had to buy into a structure and a game plan that wasn't too dissimilar to what we're all familiar with at a Super Rugby level, but what he has done is really galvanise a group.
"He's been able to get guys in, (and) get their feet well and truly set under the desk.โ
Schmidt, who previously coached Ireland and New Zealand, took over the Wallabies' head coach role in March after Eddie Jones' departure.
Wright also praised Joseph Suaalii, who received Man of the Match honours in his debut.
Despite being only 21, Suaalii is on a three-year, $5 million contract with Rugby Australia, which sparked some controversy.
However, Wright was full of admiration for Suaalii's calm and confident approach to the game.
โHe takes that level-headed approach from the NRL, and he brought the same approach into that game on the weekend,โ Wright said.
โHe treated it the same as he does all his other games, and we saw that in the way he played.โ
The Wallabies must win their remaining three games on the Spring Tour to secure a Grand Slam, a feat they haven't achieved since 1984.
