Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt has warned the British and Irish Lions that their Australian hosts are getting their act together.
Schmidt reckons there are “promising signs” in Australia's development as the countdown begins in earnest for the British and Irish Lions tour – a campaign he admits will be a “massive challenge”.
The Lions meet Argentina in two week’s time in Dublin before flying Down Under.
Australia are still regrouping after a difficult 2023 World Cup and a mixed 2024 season that ended with a narrow 22-19 defeat to Ireland.
Yet Schmidt, who took over following that turbulent period, says the signs of progress are there – even if the path ahead is far from smooth.
“It needs a series of really good performances, and it's something that we're aspirational about. We work really hard behind the scenes to try and get into the mix,” said Schmidt.
“Some of the promising signs are the way the Wallabies finished off last year. [And] the way the Super Rugby teams have competed this year, and it's our challenge to try and continue that pathway.”
There were just two Welsh players – Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams – in the Lions squad named last month.
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Ireland dominate the party, with 15 players – nine forwards and six backs. It means Schmidt, who previously coached Ireland and is familiar with many of the players, knows what’s coming.
“The one thing I would know about high-performance improvement, it's never linear. You're going to dip and trough and if there's one team that will attempt to make it a trough, it's the Lions with the strength in depth they're bringing,” he said.
“I'd know a lot of those players personally, coached a lot of them, it's one of those things that I know is going to be a massive challenge that we're all incredibly excited about.”
The tour won’t only include matches against the Wallabies. In a first since 1989, a combined Australia and New Zealand Invitational XV will take on the Lions in Adelaide on 12 July.
The side will be led by current Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss, who is set to succeed Schmidt as Wallabies boss in 2026, with former All Blacks head coach Ian Foster assisting.
“It's a privilege to be able to lead the coaching group for the combined AUNZ Invitational XV,” said Kiss.
“The British and Irish Lions are one of world sport's most renowned teams and to be able to play them at an iconic Australian venue such as the Adelaide Oval will be an incredible spectacle.”
Also part of the build-up is a symbolic fixture between a First Nations and Pasifika XV and the Lions on 22 July, to be coached by former Wallaby and ex-Tonga boss Toutai Kefu.
“I feel honoured to be named head coach of the first ever First Nations and Pasifika XV,” said Kefu.
“First Nations and Pasifika people contribute massively to the game all around the world and the significance of this game in celebrating those ongoing contributions can't be overstated, especially against a team with the history of the British and Irish Lions.”
As excitement for the tour builds, Schmidt believes the moment offers a chance for the Wallabies to reconnect with the public – and prove they are again contenders on the global stage.
“The Lions is something that tends to reach beyond just the rugby union fans because it's such an infrequent tour people just get interested and we'd love to earn the support of all those folks by being really competitive,” said Schmidt.
“Where that leads us? I'd love to think we're in the hunt.”
"The Lions is something that tends to reach beyond just the rugby union fans because it's such an infrequent tour people just get interested and we'd love to earn the support of all those folks by being really competitive," Schmidt said.
"Where that leads us? I'd love to think we're in the hunt."
British and Irish Lions 2025 tour schedule
Date Opponent Venue
Friday, June 20 Argentina Dublin
Saturday, June 28 Western Force Perth
Wednesday, July 2 Queensland Reds Brisbane
Saturday, July 5 NSW Waratahs Sydney
Wednesday, July 9 ACT Brumbies Canberra
Saturday, July 12 Invitational AU-NZ Adelaide
Saturday, July 19 AUSTRALIA (first Test) Brisbane
Wednesday, July 22 First Nations & Pasifika XV Melbourne
Saturday, July 26 AUSTRALIA (second Test) Melbourne
Saturday, August 2 AUSTRALIA (third Test) Sydney
