Australia concluded the Joe Schmidt era with a stunning 57-10 victory over Italy in Perth on Saturday, showcasing a performance that highlighted the potential of the team while also raising questions about previous inconsistencies. Josh Canham stole the show with a hat-trick, marking a fitting tribute to Schmidt as he departs after a challenging tenure.

Despite the emphatic win, Schmidt's overall record stands at 12 victories in 31 Tests, translating to a winning percentage of just under 39%, one of the lowest in the professional era. This context underscores the difficulties he faced, having inherited a team in disarray after Eddie Jones's departure.

Key takeaways from Schmidt's legacy include:

• Canham's performance: As Australia's standout player, he demonstrated athleticism and skill, scoring three tries thanks to a dominant forward pack.
• Debuts: Schmidt provided 27 debuts in 31 Tests, broadening the player pool, although the squad still lacks depth in heavyweight forwards.
• Playing style: He instilled a methodical approach, allowing players like Ryan Lonergan to maintain high-paced ball movement that kept Italy on the back foot.

Despite the positives, significant challenges remain:

• Bench strength: The lack of quality substitutes hampers the team's ability to maintain performance.
• Fly-half instability: Schmidt used eight players in the fly-half position, indicating a struggle for consistency and depth.

As Les Kiss takes the reins, he inherits a more capable squad, featuring talents like Rob Valetini and Len Ikitau, yet he must address the ongoing issues to ensure that the Wallabies can deliver top-tier performances consistently. With the World Cup approaching, the pressure is on to turn occasional brilliance into a reliable standard.