Why it’s easy to blame Joe Schmidt, Fabien Galthie, Scott Robertson and co when things go wrong

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The old certainties began to change after the 2015 Rugby World Cup as Six Nations teams began to assert themselves, but it was COVID that really accelerated everything.

Amid the breakup of the old Super Rugby – as previously reported reporterNew Zealand Rugby wanted to continue its ties with South Africa with a play-off format after the conclusion of the relevant domestic competitions, but South Africa opted for a full move north, taking Australasian rugby on a different route from the rest of the world.

The effects of this are complex and still evolving, but it was hard not to be hit with a blow. Statistics used by Iain Payten in his article on the Wallabies’ recent woes. The Wallabies and All Blacks are the second-worst and worst teams in the Rugby Championship and Six Nations at getting their own kicks back, according to data compiled by Stan Sport’s Kate Lorimer.

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It can’t be a coincidence that two teams competing in this important division of Test rugby are playing in the same domestic competition.

But even if this technical issue can be resolved, there is little evidence that a return to the old order for the Wallabies or the All Blacks will happen anytime soon.

In fact, the only fans with any consistency in world rugby are the South Africans and the English, although Argentina are making progress.

Even for South Africans, relief from uncertainty will end when the Springboks’ season ends and the debate will begin again as to whether the Stormers, Sharks, Bulls and Lions are doomed to fail European club competitions due to the calendar and the Springboks’ eligibility policy; this view was voiced vociferously by Jake White.

So the path to peace for the average rugby fan is to cultivate a somewhat Zen-like calm as results continue to soar, as they always will.

It’s certainly within the realm of possibility that the Wallabies will take swift revenge against Ireland and Italy next July, with those two teams heading south.

Coaches still need to be held accountable. The Wallabies’ next review will certainly reveal the possibility that an attacking coach may need to be added for Schmidt’s final three Tests next July.

But the hostility some coaches now face probably says more about the difficulties we face in trying to find a simple answer to a complex set of questions.