- Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 with a late try in their Test before facing the Lions
- Star man Joseph Suaalii was kept quiet as Fiji impressed physically and tactically
There was not much for Joe Schmidt to shout about after his Wallabies salvaged a last-minute victory over Fiji in their one and only Test before they face the Lions.
For large parts of the game, the Australians were outmuscled by their Pacific Island opponents, showing little to strike fear into Andy Farrell’s camp. Even their poster boy midfielder Joseph Suaalii was kept under wraps.
Australia’s decision making was poor, gifting Fiji a half-time try when they could have kicked out the ball with the clock in red, and turning down kicks at goal to pull clear on the scoreboard.
Asked if his team have shown enough to challenge the Lions, Schmidt said: ‘I’m not a really confident sort of person.
‘There’s not real confidence but there’s a quiet resolve. And that quiet resolve, hopefully over the three-match series can build to something.
‘It’s a great opportunity for us to bring the game back to the focus point that we’d love it to be in Australia.
Australia boss Joe Schmidt admits Wallabies don’t have ‘real confidence’
The Wallabies edged Fiji 21-18 with a late try in their Test before facing the British & Irish Lions
Star man Joseph Suaalii (right) was kept quiet as Fiji impressed physically and tactically
‘We didn’t play well enough today for people to have expectation that we’ll come bowling into Brisbane and knock the Lions over.
‘I’m not sure that expectation was there before today, and so we’re going to have to build that quiet resolve and inch by inch we can work our way towards that.’
All of Schmidt’s fingers will be crossed that big Will Skelton returns in time for the series opener in Brisbane because they looked in desperate need of his clout.
They also face new injury concerns over hooker Dave Porecki and No 10 Noah Lolesio.
