Rugby Championship: What have we learned from New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Australia?

Following their first pool stage exit at last year’s World Cup, Australia were at their lowest point.

Former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt took the job after Eddie Jones departed for Japan and had a successful summer series against Wales.

However, the Wallabies struggled against better opposition in the Rugby Championship, recording only one victory to finish bottom for the second season running.

That victory against Argentina came from an injury-time Ben Donaldson penalty as Schmidt showed he has at least installed fight in his side, which has been missing in recent years.

Two late scores in Sydney against the All Blacks also nearly resulted in a famous comeback and there was an impressive first-half showing in Wellington.

Australia have scored tries straight from the Schmidt playbook, which he used so often during his time with Ireland, such as Fraser McReight’s try off the back of a line-out against New Zealand in Sydney.

The British and Irish Lions will arrive in Australia in less than a year, and if the series is to be competitive Schmidt’s side will need to massively improve.

A statement win over either of last year’s World Cup finalists would have massively helped build belief.

Australia play Schmidt’s former side, coached by Lions boss Andy Farrell, on 30 November after games against the other three home nations.

“It’s a bit like when we come up against the All Blacks, you know it’s going to be a really tough tour,” he added.

“But if we can keep building through that tour, then I think we put ourselves in position of potentially being competitive next July [against the Lions].”