Schmidt proud of Wallabies fightback despite first test loss
After being dominated by the Lions for an hour, tries from replacements Carlo Tizzano and Tate McDermott got the Wallabies within eight points of the tourists and Schmidt thought they were unlucky not to have a couple more.
Schmidt has been clear throughout his year in charge that his team are a development project and thought it a sign of progress that they fought back rather than folded.
"I just think that this time last year, I think we probably would have melted, but I love the way this team is developing," he said after the 27-19 defeat at Lang Park.
"I felt like we fought our way back into the game. I felt if we could get within one score, then you never know what can happen.
"I'm not saying the Lions didn't deserve to win it, because I feel that they did on the balance of what they did in that first half.
"We'll have a look in the cold light of day and be a little bit more analytical, but very proud of the way the players fought their way back."
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Mindef, SAF units among those dealing with attack on S'pore's critical information infrastructure
Asia How China's growing cyber-hacking capabilities have raised alarm around the world
Singapore Vessels from Navy, SCDF and MPA to debut at Marina Bay in NDP maritime display
Asia Autogate glitch at Malaysia's major checkpoints causes chaos for S'porean and foreign travellers
Asia SIA, Scoot, Cathay Pacific cancel flights as typhoon nears Hong Kong
Singapore A deadly cocktail: Easy access, lax attitudes driving Kpod scourge in S'pore
Singapore 'I thought it was an April Fool's joke': Teen addicted to Kpods on news that friend died
Singapore Why hiring more teachers makes sense, even with falling student numbers
Schmidt handed a first test start to flyhalf Tom Lynagh and a debut to flanker Nick Champion de Crespigny and thought both acquitted themselves well.
The New Zealander said loose forward Rob Valetini and lock Will Skelton would be fit to return for the second test in Melbourne next week, which might help the Wallabies compete physically with the Lions.
"Some of our collision area work has to be better, just because we know they're coming so hard there," he said.
"As I mentioned earlier, there were a few things in the lineout that I think we can tidy up. And I thought, in contrast, I thought the scrum was very strong."
Schmidt was pleased with the impact of his bench in the last quarter and thought there were some other positives to take to Melbourne, when the Wallabies will be playing to stay alive in the three-match series.
"We weren't far away," he said. "I think the team grew into the game. I think they did show a desperation to defend our line and to be in as many of the contests for position as they could be.
"And I do think if we can just improve our accuracy, it will help us to be competitive." REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Global armada primed for yacht racing's greatest epic as Fastnet turns 100
PORTSMOUTH, England - The world's largest offshore yacht race turns 100 on Saturday, with a record-breaking fleet of more than 450 yachts from 26 countries lining up in Cowes on Britain's Isle of Wight for the Rolex Fastnet Race's centenary edition. This milestone race offers a fascinating clash between sailing's fastest technology and amateur passion, with the fleet set to cover 695 nautical miles, rounding Fastnet Rock about 13 kilometres southwest of Cape Clear Island, off the southern coast of Ireland, and finishing in Cherbourg, France. At the front, four giant 32-metre Ultim trimarans capable of 50 knots — more than 90 km/h -- will set the pace, led by last year's record-holder SVR-Lazartigue and an all-star crew of Frenchman Tom Laperche, Franck Cammas and New Zealander Peter Burling. They face serious challenges from Actual Ultim 4, the in-form Maxi Banque Populaire XI, and Thomas Coville's Sodebo Ultim 3, all eager to better the benchmark time of 1 day, 8 hours, 38 minutes. The IMOCA 60 class brings its own intrigue. Double Fastnet winner Charlie Dalin is absent, opening the door for rivals like Yoann Richomme on Paprec Arkea. This year, all eight IMOCAs feature female crew, and three have female skippers - an important milestone for the class. The MOCRA multihull division is also at full strength, with 20 entries and a highlight battle between the MOD70s Argo and Zoulou. But the real backbone of the Fastnet is the diverse IRC fleet, where 385 monohulls of every shape and vintage race together under a common International Rating Certificate (IRC) rating rule handicap. IRC Four, the slowest class, has nearly 100 boats - including family crews like Richard and Sophie Palmer on Jangada, and Turkey's First 35 Express, racing to inspire at home. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore LTA seeks tailored solutions to improve Bukit Panjang LRT's maintenance inspections Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Opinion Singapore's vaping crisis lays bare the drug addiction nightmare for parents Opinion With Shatec cutting back operations, what's next for the hospitality sector? Opinion Sumiko at 61: 7 facts about facial skin ageing, and skincare ingredients that actually work Life Cosby Show star Malcolm-Jamal Warner dies by drowning at 54 Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region World UK, France and 23 other nations condemn Israel over 'inhumane killing' of civilians Last year's monohull line honours - awarded to the first monohull to finish, regardless of handicap - went to MACIF IMOCA, skippered by Dalin in two days, seven hours, 16 minutes and 26 seconds. The Fastnet Challenge Cup, for the best corrected time under IRC, was claimed by Caro, a Botin 52 skippered by Max Klink. Whether chasing records, redemption, or just the satisfaction of rounding Fastnet Rock, this centenary fleet is ready to add another chapter to the history of offshore racing when the cannon fires in Cowes. REUTERS
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Rowland targets multiple titles after Formula E breakthrough
FILE PHOTO: Apr 12, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Oliver Rowland of Team Nissan enters turn four during qualifying for the ABB Formula E Series race at the Homestead Motor Speedway Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images/File Photo LONDON - After 11 seasons that have produced 10 different champions, Formula E's new title-holder Oliver Rowland believes the all-electric series has become less of a lottery and he can break with the past. The Nissan driver, who clinched this year's crown in Berlin on July 13 with two races to spare, told reporters ahead of his home British season finale at London's ExCel this weekend that the championship was fairer now. "In the early years we had this qualifying system which was just mental, where the top six in the championship went out on a track that was one second slower than (for) the next group and then half a second slower than the next group," he said. "You could never pull away in the championship. You would basically get in the lead and then just start last in the next race." In 2021, the last year before the Season Eight change, 18 drivers remained in title contention heading into the final two rounds. Seven of the 11 championships, including the first three, have been decided in the final race. Only Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne has so far managed to defend a Formula E crown, winning back-to-back titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes at college campus Singapore ST Explains: What does it mean for etomidate to be listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act? Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU to have compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 World US authorities probing passenger jet's close call with B-52 bomber over North Dakota Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety The current qualifying splits drivers into two groups of 11 based on championship position, with odd numbers in one group and evens in the other, before the top four from each advance to knockout duels. "It's kind of much fairer and I think you have the opportunity to see people winning more back-to-back titles," said Rowland, 32. "I think it's a little bit fairer now in terms of not being as much of a lottery. I expect that you will see the same guys towards the front and more repeat winners moving forward," said Rowland. While this year's drivers' crown is won, Nissan are fighting Porsche for the team and manufacturers' titles. Rowland said his ambition for the future, without the pressure of chasing a first title, was to try to cement himself as one of the top drivers in the series. "It's a good motivation to have, to try and win three or four (titles)," he said. REUTERS
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
I struggle to comprehend 'social media poison' says Farrell
Former England captain Owen Farrell says he does not understand the social media "poison" that often surrounds top level sport and that contributed to him walking away from international rugby after the 2023 World Cup. The 33-year-old was named by his father, British & Irish Lions coach Andy Farrell, as captain for Tuesday's match against a First Nations & Pasifika XV in Melbourne, after joining the tour as replacement for the injured Elliot Daly. He has not played a test since stepping back from national duty in November 2023 to prioritise his mental health, before joining French side Racing 92, returning to Saracens in June. "I understand times are different and things catch fire quicker. Things grow legs, take a life of their own, go wherever they go and there's momentum behind them. But no, I don't always understand it," Farrell told reporters on Monday, when asked about the online discourse. "Both are a poison... the good and the bad. Not to say that it's all bad, but the things that should matter to me and should matter to us as players are the people that matter to us." Racist abuse online forced England women's footballer Jess Carter to step away from social media on Sunday, with the defender saying she had been a target since Euro 2025 began. Farrell previously spoke out against social media abuse when he condemned the online vitriol faced by England flanker Tom Curry during the 2023 World Cup after he accused a South African opponent of abusing him during a match. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes at college campus Singapore ST Explains: What does it mean for etomidate to be listed under the Misuse of Drugs Act? Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 World US authorities probing passenger jet's close call with B-52 bomber over North Dakota Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety "I guess the people I think we should listen to are the proper rugby people, your mates. Not that those people will just pat you on the back," Farrell said. "You have people who will tell you where it is at the same time, but they will give you a real answer. If you do that and you are in a good place yourself, then you can deal with it." REUTERS
