Joe Schmidt in New Zealand

Despite suffering a record 67-27 defeat to Argentina, Australia is seen as a serious threat by New Zealand in the upcoming Rugby Championship, particularly due to the coaching expertise of Joe Schmidt. Schmidt, who previously helped the All Blacks recover from a rough patch, is now at the helm for the Wallabies, and his attention to detail and coaching acumen are recognized by opponents like Anton Lienert-Brown. Additionally, former All Blacks scrum coach Mike Cron is assisting the Wallabies, adding to the complexity of the rivalry. Both teams share a poor win-loss record in the tournament, heightening the stakes of their clash in Sydney. Players like Tom Wright emphasize that New Zealand's recent losses do not diminish their reputation as a top team. The match also serves as a Bledisloe Cup fixture, with the Wallabies eager to reclaim the trophy they last held in 2002.