Schmidt's Emotional Farewell: Wallabies Coach Seeks Fan's Eye View in Dublin

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As he prepares to leave his post as Wallabies coach, Joe Schmidt is eager to experience the electric atmosphere of Dublin's Aviva Stadium as a fan, rather than a coach, for one last time. The former Ireland boss has a deep affection for the stadium, which he knows well from his time guiding Leinster to Champions Cup triumphs and overseeing Ireland's Six Nations titles. Schmidt, who will step down next year to spend more time with his son Luke, who suffers from epilepsy, has one final match in charge of Australia at the Aviva. The Wallabies are looking to bounce back from successive losses at England and Italy, which have dented their Autumn Nations Series campaign. The defeats have come at a critical time, as the Wallabies aim to bolster their ranking ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup draw in Australia. Schmidt acknowledges the emotional toll of losing, but remains focused on building depth in his squad. He has recalled veteran fly-half James O'Connor, who will start at number 10 after Carter Gordon's quad injury. Schmidt's team has used five fly-halves this year, highlighting the need for greater depth in the position. He feels that without it, the team becomes too vulnerable. The Wallabies will face a tough challenge against Ireland, but Schmidt is determined to make the most of his final match as coach and to give his team a chance to succeed. As he prepares to leave the coaching role, Schmidt reflects on his time as Ireland boss, where he won three Six Nations titles, including a 2018 Grand Slam. He also recalls his time with Leinster, which he led to back-to-back Champions Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2012. Despite the pressure and challenges, Schmidt is grateful for the opportunity to experience the Aviva Stadium as a fan and to bid farewell to the Wallabies in style.