Schmidt wanting players to get reward for effort as he prepares to depart

Schmidt took over Australia from Eddie Jones in March 2024 following their disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign when they failed to get out of their pool for the first time in their history.

After an initially bright start with wins against Wales and Georgia, an expected resurgence has failed to materialise and Australia are ranked eighth as Schmidt prepares to hand the reins to the incoming Les Kiss.

In the Schmidt era, the Wallabies have won 11 and lost 19 Tests, and have only won one of their last 10.

Schmidt, who will be replaced by Queensland Reds coach Kiss after the Italy Test, said he wanted to be remembered for leaving the Wallabies in a better state than he found them.

"My time's nearly finished and I just want to leave the house in good order," he said.

"And I know these players are trying really hard to keep building on what they have.

"It's hard at the moment to rationalise the positives and I know there were some."

There is little doubt the Wallabies have improved since 2023.

They have had notable away wins over South Africa and England and led Ireland and France at half-time in their opening two Nations Championship matches before fading.

They held a 21-12 lead at the break on Saturday against the Six Nations champions France, before the visitors stormed home 42-26 in Brisbane.

"You don't take jobs like this to come second," Schmidt said.

"Internally, I'm incredibly competitive and I just want these guys to get a little bit of reward for the effort they're making.

"I see them working hard and I know their intent is really, really positive.

"But when things don't go our way, we've got to be able to get some traction in the game."

When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, Schmidt said boosting the depth of the national squad.

"Probably for building a base of players that have a sense of belief about how they can put a game together," he said.

"Have a sense of connection about how they play the game, and then they have a set of skills that allows them to play in that manner and a commitment to doing that for each other."