Wallabies Great Tim Horan Reflects on World Cup Pain Amid New Coaching Era

Former Wallabies legend Tim Horan, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, has expressed the importance of not moving on too quickly from the pain of the recent World Cup campaign as the national team embarks on a new era under coach Joe Schmidt.

Horan, who witnessed the disappointing performance under Eddie Jones in France last year, emphasized the need for the World Cup disappointment to linger as motivation for the players, despite the Wallabies securing their first victory under Schmidt’s guidance against Wales.

The Wallabies, under Jones, endured a tumultuous World Cup, failing to advance past the group stages following embarrassing losses to Wales and Fiji, marking a historic low for the Australian team.

Reflecting on the recent win over Wales at Allianz Stadium, Horan acknowledged the significance of not forgetting the World Cup debacle, stating that the lingering pain should drive the players to strive for improvement and excellence in future campaigns.

As Schmidt initiates his coaching tenure with an open-minded approach to selection, he introduced seven debutants in the victorious match against Wales, with newly capped loosehead prop Isaac Kailea particularly standing out with a stellar defensive performance in the absence of key players like Angus Bell and Blake Schoupp.

Horan suggested that Schmidt’s strategy for the July series is geared towards fine-tuning the roster for the upcoming challenges, such as the first game of The Rugby Championship against South Africa, slated for next month in Brisbane.

Observing Schmidt’s gameplan against Wales, Horan noted the similarities to the tactics employed during his time with Ireland, particularly the focus on efficient ball retention, precise execution of basic skills, and strategic kicking game.

With Waratahs scrumhalf Jake Gordon playing a pivotal role in executing Schmidt’s game plan, reminiscent of Conor Murray‘s influence in Ireland, Horan emphasized that the adaptation of these strategies will require time and patience to fully integrate within the Wallabies setup.

While applauding the Wallabies’ victory over Wales, Horan emphasized that Australia‘s current ranking realistically places them between eighth and fifth globally, highlighting the gradual progression required to break into the top four ranking in the world.