None of this is intended as a criticism of Schmidt, even in the slightest. The Wallabies need Schmidt now, and the fact that he has extended his tenure through to the first three Tests of 2026 is a godsend. The Wallabies need every ounce of his intensity and drive in that period, his relentless focus on the fundamentals and his rugby IQ. But even if Schmidt succeeds over the next 17 Tests, it doesn’t preclude Kiss from coming in and elevating the Wallabies again. Schmidt’s intensity can come at a cost. The Herald has spoken to one former Ireland international who reeled off anecdotes about some players almost living in fear of the coach. While alpha males such as Johnny Sexton could tell Schmidt where to go if necessary, other members of the squad were less well-equipped to deal with his demanding style. He might have mellowed a touch since then, but the Herald has also been told that Schmidt was embittered by the All Blacks’ Rugby World Cup final loss, and found it hard to move on from the performance of referee Wayne Barnes and TMO Tom Foley.