Hopes high that Joe Schmidt will remain in charge of the Wallabies beyond British and Irish Lions series

As the Wallabies prepare for their final Test of the year, coach Joe Schmidt’s impact on the team has been praised.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is making a ‘huge difference. Picture: Grant Down / AFP

Joe Schmidt has been hailed for the “huge difference” he has made to the Wallabies, with his assistant Laurie Fisher hopeful the New Zealand-born mentor will continue his role as Australia’s coach beyond next year’s series against the British and Irish Lions.

Appointed in January this year, Schmidt is reportedly set to announce next month whether he will stay in the job once the Wallabies’ three-Test series against the Lions is completed next August.

Fisher said it “would be great for Australian rugby” if Schmidt was to recommit to the Wallabies.

“He’s a class act and he’s making a huge difference,” Fisher said ahead of the Wallabies’ clash with Ireland in Dublin on Sunday morning (AEDT).

“He’ll make decisions around whatever’s happening in his life, so whichever way it goes, I’d wish him all the best, but in the short period that he’s been here, I think he’s made an enormous change for the better.”

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Former Brumbies and Gloucester coach Fisher said Schmidt set a great example for his coaching staff.

“He’s got an insane amount of knowledge about all aspects of the game,” Fisher said.

“He’s got a great manner with his staff and with the players, and he’s got a great eye for detail on the pitch, and that’s something that we’re all chasing to be better at.

“His eye for detail and his ability to coach in the moment is second to none.

“You don’t waste time going back and reviewing and seeing stuff that you shouldn’t have been doing.”

Fisher said players were also appreciative of Schmidt’s honesty.

“Joe from day one said that he sought permission to be 100 per cent honest with the group about what they did well and what they’re not doing well,” he said.

“We’ve got a generally good group of players, and Joe is honest with them about what we’re doing well and what we’re not doing well.

“Joe and all the staff have created an environment that is challenging.

“As a player and as a coach, you’re looking for growth. It can’t be a chore, it’s got to be challenging, but it’s not a chore.”

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt (centre) has been honest with the players. Picture: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

A Wallabies victory over Ireland – who Schmidt coached from 2013 to 2019 – will give them three wins from four Tests on their spring tour and also be the ideal way to bounce back from last weekend’s 27-13 loss to Scotland.

“Our challenge will be to turn up, put them under pressure, try to bang the door down for as long as we can and see where we end up,” Fisher said.

“Joe’s got an intimate knowledge of Irish rugby over the past decade, but in the end, it’s the guys on the field that have got to determine the result.

“If we do our stuff to the absolute best of our ability, we’ll be competitive.”