Kiss inherits Wallabies side with familiar problems

MELBOURNE, July 21 : Joe Schmidt would have liked to hand over a fully rebuilt Wallabies side to Les Kiss but instead the incoming coach will find a similar set of problems to the ones that greeted the New Zealander two years ago.

Schmidt took over a demoralised outfit in the wake of the 2023 World Cup in France where the Wallabies crashed to their first exit from the pool phase under the chaotic tenure of Eddie Jones.

Despite some notable wins, including the upset of world champions South Africa at Ellis Park last year, Schmidt departs with a record of 19 losses from 31 tests, the second-worst winning ratio among Wallabies coaches with 30 tests in charge.

After losing two of the three Nations Championship (NC) tests, the Wallabies are languishing at eighth in the world rankings, only one better than their low point after France 2023.

They signed off from the championship's Southern Hemisphere leg over the weekend with a 57-10 win over Italy in Perth to farewell Schmidt in style.

But beating the 12th-ranked Italians, who were exhausted after a long tour and without their head coach due to a World Rugby ban, was small consolation following the home defeats by Ireland and France.

After the Wallabies conceded 30 unanswered points against the French in Brisbane, captain Harry Wilson spoke for many when he said the team had failed to deliver for their fans.

"We're definitely bothered by it; we're here to win and no team can sit there and say we're happy with being close and improving," he said.

The Wallabies played superb rugby in phases during all three matches but despite Schmidt's efforts to blood new players, a lack of depth continues to restrict them.

With erstwhile number 10 Noah Lolesio unselected while playing in Japan's