Joe Schmidt defends fatigued Wallabies amid tough tour

Head coach Joe Schmidt says his Australia side are emotionally and physically “weary” following a tough European tour as they prepare for Saturday’s clash with France in Paris.

The Wallabies face their fourth straight Test without a win in the European tour, a scenario not seen since 1958.

Schmidt admitted: "I've found it really frustrating, to be honest, just because I do see that improvement in some of the players for sure, and when improvement isn't rewarded, there's frustration.

"I know how hard the players are working and what it means to them, and they are frustrated that they feel like they've let supporters down, because we've had fantastic support.

"It would be one of the tougher last couple of weeks that I've had in a very long time.

"They're determined to stick with it because they're incredibly proud of representing their country, and they're incredibly committed to earning the support they've had."

He acknowledged that the long tour has taken a toll, with one of the longest test windows “I’ve ever been in.”

Despite insisting fatigue is not an excuse, he adjusted his approach, giving players extra rest and altering the training schedule.

Although Australia have lost six of their last seven Tests, key players including Michael Hooper and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i publicly backed Schmidt’s leadership.

“It’s not about Joe — it’s about us,” said Sua’ali’i, urging teammates to lift their execution and match energy.