Just over 12 months ago I typed out a column on Eddie Jones and Hamish McLennan ringing Australian rugby's death knell as the Wallabies were put to the sword by Wales 40-6 in their worst-ever Rugby World Cup showing.
The young, inexperienced Wallabies squad were rudderless, and had no leadership to right the ship as thousands of fans either left the stadium in droves before fulltime or switched the game off -- if they were even watching -- in disgust. For the first time in 10 tournaments, the Wallabies failed to reach the World Cup quarterfinals and finished the season with a dismal two wins from nine Tests.
It was the lowest the Wallabies had ever sunk, despite 20 years of Rugby Australia mismanagement, as they finished the year on the World Rankings at No.9 (they sank to No. 10 during the season).
In the span of nine months Jones, alongside RA chairman McLennan, had overseen the biggest slide in the game's history in Australia. So, why, more than 12 months later, should we be thanking him?
Upon his exit in October last year Jones was quoted: "sometimes you go in the bank and blow it up, but you don't come out with the money". That was a very apt description given that's exactly what he had done to Australian rugby over the course of 2023 with little to show for it but angry fans and disenchanted players.
Signed on to a five-year contract that was set to see him take the Wallabies through to the 2027 World Cup, Jones managed just one season before it fell to pieces or as he perhaps planned from the beginning, blew it all up, and then parted ways to take on a deal with Japan.
Thank you, Eddie, for your early escape plan.
As RA and the Australian rugby public quickly closed the door on Jones, and soon after McLennan, the cleanup process began.
Plans had already been put in place by RA CEO Phil Waugh to create a "strategic reset" including a complete overhaul of their high performance unit in a move towards centralisation -- Jones himself was not in favour, instead pushing a path to greater alignment -- and soon after the head coach's exit appointments were finally made.
Days before Christmas 2023 the first high-profile signing was announced. Former World Rugby Director of High Performance Peter Horne was brought in under the same title at RA, with former Brumbies coach and Wallabies hooker David Nucifora -- an integral player in Ireland's centralization -- hired as a high performance advisor. The first steps towards Australian rugby centralisation were made.
A month later Jones' replacement was unveiled. Joe Schmidt, renowned for the revival of Ireland, three Six Nations titles, historic wins over the All Blacks and South Africa, and the nation's rise to the top of world rankings in 2019 as well as being named the 2018 World Rugby Coach of the Year, was handed the reins on a two-year deal.
Thank you, Eddie, for reducing RA to rubble and clearing the way for change and the introduction of Schmidt.
After a shambolic year that had left the Wallabies, and rugby in Australia, in the deepest of holes, Schmidt has proven his weight in gold -- Wallaby gold at that -- breathing life back into the game.
Alongside Schmidt came scrum guru Mike Cron who's worked to build a top-tier tight five; Geoff Parling, who's transformed the lineout into a real threat; and Laurie Fisher, who's defence repelled a constant battering against Ireland.
Thank you, Eddie, for taking your questionable coaching team -- including two rugby league coaches with next to no experience in rugby -- with you.
The last 12 months certainly haven't been easy for Schmidt or his Wallabies and while six victories from 13 starts doesn't sound great, context is key as Australian rugby fans can now see a path forward and belief is growing that next year's British & Irish Lions series will be at the very least competitive.
Yes, there have been some crushing defeats -- the 67-27 capitulation in Santa Fe, a heartbreaking 31-28 loss to New Zealand, and a combined 63-19 deficit at home to the Springboks -- but there have also been bright moments through the season.
Two wins over Wales and another over Georgia were the perfect opening to Schmidt's tenure, but the best victories came in a boilover in La Plata in August and then an historic last-gasp victory over England in Twickenham to open their grand slam tour. That result had the Australian rugby public believing again.
Australia's defeats even offered promise, none more so than their shattering 22-19 defeat to World No. 2 Ireland last weekend. Despite holding just 30% possession all game, and little to no territory they showed grit and determination that just wasn't there under Jones. There was mongrel in the Wallabies' defence, while their set-piece barely wobbled.
Most heartening has been the growth of several integral players, with Tom Wright, Len Ikitau and Noah Lolesio the top of the list.
Unwanted by Jones for the World Cup, the Brumbies trio have been the stars of the Wallabies' rebuild, especially during the northern tour. Ikitau's flick pass to Max Jorgensen to set up the match winner against England stole the headlines and was quickly dubbed the 'Flickitau' before it was joined by the 'Stepitau' a week later after he bamboozled Wales defender Cameron Winnett for a try.
Wright, too, was huge in the side's big wins across the year, and even in their losses to Scotland and Ireland, while Lolesio has continued to grow in his role after receiving full faith from his coaches.
Thank you, Eddie, for casting the trio aside and lighting a fire in their belly to prove you wrong.
Now with the 2024 season coming to a close, a record 19 debutants through the season and some of the most heartening performances seen in the gold jersey for some time, the Wallabies have done away with any misconceptions they'll be easy beats during next year's Lions series, and that they can add to the James Bevan Trophy and Ella Mobbs Cup they picked up in the U.K. last month.
So thank you, Eddie, for all that you did for Australian rugby.