Deciphering the first Test team of a new Wallabies coach is a tricky business at the best of times.

But when you name a first team in the year after a chaotic World Cup campaign, where your predecessor demolished several load-bearing walls before handing over the house keys, you have Joe Schmidt’s first Test team named on Thursday.

At first glance, it was as easy to understand as quantum computing.

Seven potential debutants - which is the most since 1980 - but mostly all on the bench. A new captain, in the shape of a five-Test flanker who last wore gold in 2019. Just five survivors from the last game played by the Wallabies, against Portugal eight months ago - but with eleven of that team available for selection.

When it comes to understanding Schmidt’s first team, however, probably the best place to start is at the end; namely the coach’s end goal of naming a powerful team in exactly one year’s time, for battle with the British and Irish Lions.

There are 13 Tests in between and while his bosses at RA would probably have sold their grannies for a win on Saturday (by using experienced players whether they’re off to the NRL or not), Schmidt appears to be focussing on his longer-term vision.

Schmidt did not hide his intention to select from local players who would be here next year, and he’s done that. The starting team is relatively straight-forward and re-inserts the experience that Jones stripped out in many areas. Mostly it is a team picked on form, with Lukhan........

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