Imagine facing your toughest rival, knowing a single victory could redefine your entire year. That's the pressure cooker Joe Schmidt's Wallabies are in as they head into their final Test against France. But here's the kicker: Schmidt is prioritizing performance over a potentially history-making points chase, and that decision is raising eyebrows across the rugby world.
Updated team news reveals that Reds halfback Kalani Thomas is set to make his debut off the bench – a significant vote of confidence from Schmidt. The experienced coach has made it clear: the focus is on securing a victory in Paris, not on racking up the points needed to climb to sixth place in the World Rugby rankings. A win by 16 points or more at the Stade de France would propel the Wallabies past Les Bleus, securing a top-six seed ahead of the 2027 World Cup draw. (https://www.theroar.com.au/rugby-union/world-rugby-rankings/)
Schmidt acknowledges the ambitious nature of such a target. "I saw that," Schmidt said, "16 points – that’s very difficult. It’s even difficult to win at the start." He continued, "So, we’re looking for [a] performance … because if we’re looking for a very big result like that, I think it’s too difficult." This pragmatic approach, however, sparks a debate: are the Wallabies aiming too low? Should they be striving for a dominant victory to build momentum and secure a better World Cup seeding? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
For this crucial 15th and final Test of 2025, Schmidt has introduced five fresh faces to the starting lineup. Carter Gordon, as initially reported by The Roar, reclaims the flyhalf position, replacing James O’Connor. O'Connor's brief return to the No. 10 jersey in the defeat in Dublin was as unexpected as his subsequent departure. Dylan Pietsch will start on the wing, with Filipo Daugunu moving to the bench. The forward pack sees three changes: Nick Frost partners Jeremy Williams in the second row, shifting Tom Hooper to blindside flanker, while Rob Valetini takes a spot on the bench. Hooper will also provide cover for the second row, as no specialist lock cover has been selected on the bench. Billy Pollard returns at hooker, with Matt Faessler moving to the bench. And in his final Test before joining Racing 92, Taniela Tupou starts at tight-head prop. Allan Alaalatoa will be available from the bench.
The bench itself offers a balanced mix of experience and youthful potential, including former Chiefs stalwart Aidan Ross, who is in line for his third Test cap. Carlo Tizzano adds further back-row cover alongside Valetini, and Thomas joins Tane Edmed among the reserves. Joe Schmidt continues to show faith in Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at outside centre, a selection that has been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
The selection of Thomas, the 23-year-old Reds halfback, over Ryan Lonergan is particularly noteworthy, especially considering Thomas hadn't seen any game time throughout the tour up to this point. Having been second in line to Tate McDermott, Thomas, who marked his 50th Super Rugby match this year, offers a similar running threat to the player he replaced. Schmidt defended his decision, stating that Thomas deserved the opportunity and that Lonergan was supportive of the call.
"Lonners [Lonergan] was part of the decision as well," Schmidt told reporters in Paris. "The great thing in the group is that everyone is very supportive of each other and immediately Ryan was going through things with Kalani."
Schmidt explained: "Kalani’s trained for five weeks with us. He’s trained incredibly well, he’s got a sharpness about him, and I think he deserves an opportunity to demonstrate that. It’s a tough place to debut, but if we don’t do it now, he’s just spent those five weeks with us, then he has to reintegrate himself again in the future and we just felt this window was a good opportunity for him, and there’s good confidence in and around the team that he can add value."
Perhaps even more significant is the return of Carter Gordon. The 24-year-old flyhalf made his Test comeback after a two-year absence in the loss to Italy but subsequently missed the game against Ireland due to a quad strain – the very injury that had delayed his return for several weeks. And this is the part most people miss... despite concerns about a possible hamstring issue during Thursday's training, Schmidt remains optimistic that Gordon will be fully fit to perform all his duties. This return is especially poignant as it takes place at the same venue where Gordon led the Wallabies to their first World Cup victory in 2023, against Georgia.
"I’m hoping he can do the full spectrum of skills required of him," Schmidt said. "When you’re coming back from an injury, I’ve seen enough players … if it’s a hamstring, they’ll just put their hand on the back of their hamstring and it becomes almost a psychosomatic reaction."
"I’m hopeful that Carter gets through captain’s run tomorrow," Schmidt added. Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt in discussion with Carter Gordon and Tane Edmed (R). Photo: Julius Dimataga, Rugby Australia
"We pulled him out a little bit early today because we’re trying to build him into the game. But I felt he trained really well, ran the team really well, kicked out of his hand well in the actual training session. So yeah, he’s an exciting prospect and we’ve got Tane to back him up. And Tane’s growing all the time, and he’s one of the guys who benefited from having James O’Connor in the environment and helping him to understand more about his role."
O’Connor's departure followed the Wallabies’ 46-19 victory. He had been surprisingly drafted into the squad despite missing the first three Tests on tour. Despite releasing the 35-year-old, Schmidt suggested that his Test career is not necessarily over. "Age is probably not one of the numbers that necessarily tips the balance," he said.
Asked about potentially shifting Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to counter the anticipated aerial attacks from France, Schmidt deftly avoided the question, instead highlighting the increasing intensity of aerial contests due to current officiating trends. "The way the game is being refereed, they’re encouraging more aerial contests," Schmidt explained. "The rucks are not necessarily fast and if they’re not fast, then it’s very hard to play with the ball, so you give it to the opposition in a contest situation where they’re demanding that there’s access. So they’re driving a game that is more leaning toward a kicking game and so we’ve got to be really good at both the kicking part of it, so that we can get into contests and then on the receiving part of it."
He further noted: "Dylan Pietsch is strong in that area and Harry Potter normally is as well." After conceding six lineouts last weekend, Schmidt expressed confidence in his team's ability to improve. "We’ve made a couple of changes in the team, allowing us to create a few more options," he stated. "But it wasn’t so much the options, it was just the execution."
A defeat in Paris wouldn’t just mean a winless four-Test tour of Europe for the first time since 1958; it would also mark their tenth loss in 2025 – the most ever in a calendar year. Schmidt maintains that he isn't focused on this potentially unwanted record. "We don’t talk about the end result too much because there’s a number of facets of that we don’t control," he said.
"What we control is really just that moment in front of our face. If we can just stack enough really positive moments where people get their skill set right and their commitment to what needs to be done to the right level … my experience would suggest that if we can do that, we’ll be in the game."
Meanwhile, France coach Fabian Galthie has named a formidable side, featuring Australian-raised Emmanuel Meafou in the second row. Australian-raised lock Emmanuel Meafou will play the Wallabies for the first time. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
Will Skelton’s La Rochelle teammate Gregory Alldritt captains the side, forming a powerful back-row alongside Charles Ollivon and Anthony Jelonch. Maxime Lucu is named at halfback alongside Romain Ntamack, with Gael Fickou at inside centre. Galthie has also selected a dangerous back three, including fullback Thomas Ramos and wingers Louis Bielle-Biarrey, a nominee for World Rugby player of the year, and Damian Penaud, the prolific try-scorer who tormented the Wallabies three years ago in Paris. So, the stage is set. A win for the Wallabies would be a massive boost. But is Schmidt right to downplay the importance of World Rugby ranking points? Or should the Wallabies go all-out for a huge win? Share your thoughts below!
