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Schmidt admires Wallabies' effort despite winless Spring Tour
Nicholas Quinlan • November 23rd, 2025 4:07 pm
The Wallabies have concluded what has been a dismal Spring Tour with their final match of the 2025 calendar year seeing them lose 48-33 to France at the Stade de France on Sunday morning.
Once again, the Wallabies were able to stay within touching distance of their opponents, having taken the lead at several stages throughout the first half to be tied at 19 apiece going into the main break.
The Wallabies still kept their hopes alive of a potential win thanks to a Max Jorgensen kick and chase try, which was subsequently converted, keeping them within one point of France with just over 20 minutes left in the game.
But tries from Julien Marchan, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Maxime Lamothe would break the game open for Les Bleus in the final ten minutes despite a try from Australia’s Josh Nasser.
This is now the first time that the Wallabies’ side has failed to win a game in Europe in a calendar year since 1958.
It’s also the first time in the side’s 126-year history that they have lost 10 Tests in a calendar year, with most of those having come following their epic victory against the Springboks in Johannesburg.
Speaking post-game with Stan Sport, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt would reiterate his disappointment with the result but is proud of how his team has shown effort throughout the year.
"We're disappointed we didn't finish with the victory that I know you would have all loved to see," Schmidt said.
"But the players have made a heck of an effort. There's 15 Tests in 22 weeks. With the amount of travel they've had, I just admire the way they have dusted themselves off and gone again.
"And it wasn't for lack of effort tonight. With a little bit more execution, they will get better, so please don't give up on them."
The 60-year-old Kiwi is still contracted until mid-2026, until Les Kiss takes over the role ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Following the conclusion of the Tour, it now locks Australia outside of the top six-ranked sides, which means they’ll be placed in Pot 2 for the 2027 Rugby World Cup Group Draw, which makes passage to the knockouts harder.
That will take place in Sydney on December 3 at 8pm AEDT.
