Wilson keen to continue Wallabies captaincy as Schmidt era ends

Harry Wilson said he's determined to continue captaining Australia as they build towards next year's home World Cup, while paying tribute on Friday to outgoing coach Joe Schmidt for his "relentless support". 

Schmidt's tenure will come to an end when the Wallabies face a depleted Italy in the Nations Championship on Saturday in Perth. 

Having arrived to much fanfare, the results have been underwhelming for the New Zealander, with Australia having claimed just 11 wins from 30 Tests.

But Schmidt's decision to hand the captaincy reins to the unassuming Wilson in 2024 has earned plaudits after several other players had been trialled. 

"Joe means so much to me," Wilson told reporters in Perth. 

"He really believed in me, probably at a point where I didn't believe in myself as much.

"His relentless support and always keeping you accountable to make you a better footballer is something I really appreciate."

Having grown in the role over the past two years, the 26-year-old Wilson said he hoped to develop a similar partnership with incoming Wallabies coach Les Kiss.

"Les can choose what he wants; it's his team moving forward," Wilson said.

"Obviously, I'd love to remain in the role.

"(The captaincy) makes you feel a lot more responsible and confident to go out there and try and put the performances in."

In addition to sending off Schmidt on a high, the Wallabies are hoping to produce a more complete performance.

Second-half fadeouts against Ireland and France have proven costly as the Wallabies slumped to consecutive defeats to start the Nations Championship.

"There's a massive emphasis on discipline and the second half," Wilson said.

"We can't let teams get into the game as easily as we've probably made it for them.

"We just have to keep playing attacking footy and keep backing ourselves, not go into our shell."

The Wallabies face an Italian side ravaged by injuries and a suspension to coach Gonzalo Quesada.

But Italy have won the past two matches between the teams, including a 26-19 triumph last year in Udine.

"Last year they beat us in the physical battle," Wilson said.

"It does fuel you a bit, but we just want to win for ourselves.

"We want to win for our country, and we got a lot of motivation this week."

tl/fox

© Agence France-Presse