“And so that’s always been the equation and I’m not even good at math, so I’ve got a number of equations wrong in my time. I definitely feel that Tane is improving, he’s growing in confidence as well.
“It’s been unlucky with Carter (Gordon) that he’s just had a couple of niggles that haven’t quite allowed him to get the repetition of training and games.”
Star centre Len Ikitau is recalled to the starting lineup to partner Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, having travelled to Italy with the squad, but not played in Udine.
Max Jorgensen also returns to the starting lineup at fullback after being rested in Italy after suffering from tonsillitis.
Jorgensen started in the defeat to England on the wing and, according to World Rugby statistics, only carried the ball once in London. Harry Potter and Filipo Daugunu will start for the Wallabies on the wing.
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Schmidt has rested prop Taniela Tupou for the Ireland Test, replacing him in the starting lineup with Allan Alaalatoa, with Zane Nonggorr named on the bench.
Tom Hooper switches to the second row after starting against Italy as a breakaway, with Nick Frost named as a replacement. Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight and captain Harry Wilson will all start in the back row.
Carlo Tizzano has fully recovered from a knee injury suffered in the win against Japan and should come off the bench for his first Test of the Spring tour.
Schmidt returns to Dublin under pressure after two defeats against England and Italy, but remains committed to building depth for the Wallabies ahead of handing over the Wallabies coaching role to Les Kiss next July.
“You can only commit to what you’re trying to achieve and so I’ve learned a long time ago, you can’t please all the people all the time and we’ve got to build some depth,” Schmidt said.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt ahead of the match between Italy and Australia on November 8.Credit: Getty Images
“I feel like that strength and depth, if you don’t have it, you’re too vulnerable…but how do you learn and how do you get better?
“I think the only way to do it is in the arena and at some stage, you’ve got to trust everyone in your squad.
“If you’ve selected them, then they have to be ready for whatever is demanded of them once they put on a Test jersey, so it’s a balance that I don’t think anyone gets right all the time.”
Ireland coach Andy Farrell will start Sam Prendergast at five-eighth ahead of Jack Crowley, who has started the previous three Tests. Last year in November against the Wallabies, Crowley replaced Prendergast to inspire a win for Ireland.
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Ireland are without two regular fullbacks in Hugo Keenan and Jamie Osborne due to injury, with Canberra-born Mack Hansen starting in their place, in a switch from his normal position on the wing. Although Hansen has played fullback for his club Connacht in the position, it will be his first Test start in the number 15 jersey for Ireland.
Schmidt is back in Ireland amongst family and friends and is looking forward to joining them before a rugby game in the city as a member of the crowd.
“I look at all those people having pints and really enjoying themselves, and I’m feeling like I’m in this sardine can of pressure,” Schmidt said.
“I look out there and think ‘one day I’m going to get amongst those people and drift into that stadium and enjoy watching a game where I’m not so emotionally hanging off everything that happens’.”
“I have been looking forward to finishing for a long time, and it was a phone call from a mate of mine that had me end up here [coaching the Wallabies],” Schmidt said, referring to Rugby Australia’s Director of High Performance, Peter Horne.
“I’ve got to say I really enjoyed it. I still really enjoy the on-field coaching and the interactions with a motivated group of people and great staff, the boys have been great and we are getting better, nothing is linear…but I feel like we are making progress. I know that people are impatient.”
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