Wallabies target Ireland to end seven-month hangover from winless European tour

Australia’s players are carrying the weight of a historically poor European tour into their Nations Championship opener against Ireland at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on July 4, with the Wallabies determined to deliver a result in front of a sold-out crowd.

Last November, Joe Schmidt’s side became the first Wallabies squad to lose all four Tests on a European tour since 1959, falling to England, Italy, Ireland and France in succession. Former captain Allan Alaalatoa, who was part of that group, says the memory has not faded.

“Coming off that spring tour, there’s a lot of disappointment within the group,” the veteran prop said on Wednesday. “We’ll definitely look to rectify that, and that all starts with the way we prepare and carrying that through into the game.”

Alaalatoa also pointed to the significance of the occasion itself as a source of motivation. “With the first game being a sellout, it shows that there’s a lot of passion for rugby here in Australia, and it definitely motivates the boys to make sure we do everything we can to put ourselves in the best shape possible to go out there and play with confidence.”

Schmidt has reshaped his squad for the campaign, recalling loosehead James Slipper — who had retired following the European tour — and handing a second chance to Queensland Reds utility back Jock Campbell, who has not featured in a Test since 2022.

Campbell, 31, has been a standout performer for the Reds under incoming Wallabies head coach Les Kiss after finally overcoming a persistent hamstring injury. He arrived in camp with ambitions that go well beyond a squad role.

“I’d love to start,” Campbell said. “I think everyone here wants to start. If you don’t have that mindset, it’s the wrong mindset.”

He will need to displace Brumbies star Tom Wright to earn the fullback jersey, but Campbell has also emerged as a potential option at flyhalf after revealing Schmidt has encouraged him to develop in that position.

“Over the past couple of years, he’s sort of wanted me to explore that a little bit, and Les has given me that opportunity,” Campbell said. “He’s just trying to add extra strings to your bow, and I’m comfortable playing there.”

After the Ireland fixture, Australia face France on July 11 and Italy on July 18 to complete their Nations Championship schedule under Schmidt, before Kiss officially takes charge for the Rugby Championship. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil looming, the Wallabies know a strong winter series would do much to restore confidence inside and outside the camp.