2026 is set to be a new era for the Wallabies as they enter a crucial period ahead of the home World Cup.
The Australians are coming off a rollercoaster series that included wins over the Springboks and British & Irish Lions, along with disappointing defeats to finish the year.
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From new coaches to potential new players, there are plenty of question marks and talking points for the national team.
Rugby.com.au breaks down the five main ahead of their first camp next week.
The Wallabies will enter a new era in 2026, with head coach Joe Schmidt departing after the July internationals.
Schmidt’s impact on the side can not be understated after taking over a team fresh off its worst World Cup performance ever.
But some final wins on home soil can truly solidify the positive steps the team has taken after a disappointing Spring Tour.
Matches against Italy, Ireland and France shape as the perfect revenge tour to cement Schmidt as one of the most impactful Wallabies coaches in the 2000s.
Speaking of the coaches, the arrival of Les Kiss offers a fresh platform for players to press their cases.
The initial reaction would be that Kiss would favour the Reds, but that doesn't necessarily happen when a Super coach takes over.
Expect Kiss to keep a similar style to Schmidt for the Japan Tests, before starting to implement his high-tempo footprints on the Wallabies.
The question remains around how he will deal with the step up, his first international job as head coach.
The race for the Wallabies' flyhalf job only got even more competitive in 2025 as the national team found themselves chopping and changing following Noah Lolesio’s injury.
Tane Edmed found himself with the most starts (five) at the end of the year after Tom Lynagh started the majority of the British & Irish Lions tour.
James O’Connor made a triumphant return, while Carter Gordon’s signing for the Queensland Reds only grows the competition, without even mentioning the quality of Ben Donaldson.
The Super (and overseas) season will be massive in determining who gets first crack against Ireland in Sydney.
The Wallabies have blooded a host of new players over the past two years, with a notable debutant on the verge.
Kalani Thomas became Wallaby #995, and if there are the same number of debutants, the number of players to pull on the gold jersey will hit four figures.
Who could that be? Massimo De Lutiis remains firmly on the radar, while promising forwards such as Nic Dolly, Miles Amatosero, Charlie Gamble and Joe Brial could find themselves in contention for a breakthrough cap.
Then there is the new wave of talent coming into Super Rugby Pacific, with Reds centre Dre Pakeho and Force scrumhalf Henry Robertson looking primed for the next step.
At the other end of the spectrum, Australian talent overseas has never been stronger, with the likes of Len Ikitau, Angus Bell, Tom Hooper, Noah Lolesio and Taniela Tupou among those signing deals.
The first two are sabbaticals and will be back for July, with the status of Hooper and Lolesio unknown. Tupou is one of several on long deals, with his spot in the team dependent on what Schmidt and Kiss are looking for.
What this exodus does is pave the way for a recall for an equally strong group of returning stars in Super Rugby.
The likes of Gordon and Pete Samu have already made their Test returns, while Matt Philip, Folau Fainga’a and Angus Scott-Young will press their cases with the Waratahs.
