Australia’s shaky victory raises doubts ahead of Lions series

In Newcastle, Australia managed a narrow victory against Fiji with a score of 21-18. This match was significant as it occurred a short time before their Test series against the British and Irish Lions. Joe Schmidt, the head coach of the Wallabies, expressed concern regarding the team’s performance, which required a last-minute try from Harry Wilson to secure their win. Schmidt noted that the victory was not convincing enough to instill confidence within the team or its supporters, suggesting that quiet resolve may be the team's approach instead of clear confidence. The match saw Australia struggle significantly, especially in the second half where Fiji appeared to dominate the game. Schmidt emphasized the importance of the team’s preparation, stating that the players had only been together for a limited time. Despite the win, the performance against Fiji raised concerns about the Wallabies' chances against an elite team like the Lions. Schmidt highlighted that while there had been little time to train effectively, he had hoped for a better execution of their play. Adding to Australia’s challenges, fly-half Noah Lolesio sustained a head injury during the match, which led to his departure from the game. Schmidt provided a positive update on Lolesio, indicating that the injury was not overly severe and that he remained focused on the match. However, Schmidt made it clear that they would not take risks with Lolesio's health ahead of the crucial Test matches against the Lions. Overall, the victory against Fiji might contribute to the British and Irish Lions being perceived as the favorites going into the series. Schmidt's remarks reflected a need for improvement as the team set its sights on more challenging opponents ahead. As the series approaches, the attention turns to how Australia will bolster its weaknesses exposed during the match and regain the confidence that appeared lacking in their recent performances.