Departing Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt says Australia needs to continue building self-belief and develop depth after his tenure ended with a morale-boosting victory over Italy on Saturday.
The Wallabies snapped a six-match losing streak and tasted a first victory in the Nations Championship after overpowering their depleted opponent 57-10 in front of more than 19 000 fans at Perth's HBF Park.
Schmidt will now hand over to Les Kiss, ending an underwhelming stint where he won 12 of his 31 tests in charge, after assuming control from Eddie Jones.
After costly fadeouts against Ireland and France, the Wallabies unfurled a dynamic performance and scored nine tries to two.
"I just feel like it's a culmination of a bit of frustration that we didn't finish the last two weeks off," Schmidt said.
"They've actually put some really good patches of play together and there was a real conviction from the players.
"I thought we had a real steel about us today. I'm just relieved... and retired really."
DISAPPOINTING RESULTS OVERALL
Having arrived to much fanfare in early 2024, the results were ultimately disappointing for the New Zealander.
Victory over Italy did ensure he avoided the ignominy of finishing with the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era.
"I felt we lacked a bit of belief in the second halves," Schmidt said.
"In some ways, we were beating ourselves just by being loose or not going out and playing the second half in the same manner that we started the game."
Schmidt has received praise during his tenure for giving younger players opportunities, including Josh Canham, who starred with a hat-trick against Italy.
"I think it's fundamental for us to build the depth because we've got to be strong enough to be able to sustain the odd loss of player," he said.
Schmidt will remain briefly with Rugby Australia, as part of the Australia A coaching staff, but remained coy over his longer-term plans.
"I've massively enjoyed the group," Schmidt said.
"I think they're a great group of young men and there are some very good footy players among them."