Thanks, Joe – you should never have to buy a beer in Australia again

In the aftermath of what I would say is the most famous ‘backs to the wall’ victory in Wallaby history and second only to the France vs New Zealand Rugby World Cup semi in 1999, it’s hard to come up with the words to put the feelings onto electronic paper.

Bewilderment is one. How was this even possible? Twenty-two points down after 20 minutes, and the Wallabies were lucky to be that close. From there, the back-to-back RWC champs didn’t score a single point while we put on 38!

Hell, we put in a point a minute at the back end of the second half! This all happened at Jo’burg, where a Wallaby team has not had cause to celebrate for 60-plus years.

Proud is another. Proud of the fight shown by these men, by our chosen representatives. Proud that they never gave up, they kept pushing and pushing even when in their hearts they must have been feeling more than a shred of doubt. Small moments, small wins, led to belief growing to the point where it became almost inevitable, and it was a joy to see.

Jubilant! I haven’t smiled so much after something so essentially frivolous as a game of rugby. I am happy to admit that even now, happy tears well up when I think of Tom Wright, arms outstretched like an Australian ‘Christ the Redeemer’ heading for the final try.

But I think there is one more feeling, sitting just below all this, but probably even more important to put into the ether, that is one of being thankful.

In particular, being thankful for Joe Schmidt, the New Zealander drawn out of retirement twice and away from a family that needs him. A coach who saw the Wallabies’ plight and knew he had something to offer.
Thank you, Joe. Thanks for seeing the silver lining in what seemed like an ever-growing, darker cloud that was Australian rugby.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 24: Joe Schmidt, Coach of the Wallabies poses for a portrait during an Australian Wallabies Portrait Session at NEP Studios on June 24, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Thank you for turning that cloud into a rainbow with clear, simple instructions to a playing group desperately seeking clarity.

Thank you for focusing on the basics and giving these young men the belief in themselves, and by extension, giving belief to the Australian rugby public.

Thank you for ensuring that a possible spiral after that second Lions Test was instead turned into resolve, resolve to play the game in front of them and embrace the challenge no matter what.

Thank you for sacrificing your family’s needs for the rugby family’s needs. We can only imagine how tough that call was, and we thank your family for supporting you, supporting us.

Who knows what’s going to happen at the next RWC or even next week, but we know that come what may, these young men will give it everything they have, and the cards will fall where they may.

They will come with clear intent and purpose. They will come knowing what they need to do to be successful. For this, Joe I can only say on behalf of all of us long-suffering Wallaby fans, thank you.