Harry Wilson and Max Jorgensen remain hopeful that Joe Schmidt will extend his tenure as Wallabies coach as Rugby Australia continue to "get creative" in their negotiations with the New Zealander.
Schmidt comes off contract with RA at the end of this year's British and Irish Lions tour.
Both he and RA had hoped to make a call on his future by Christmas but the situation remains uncertain and delicate as Super Rugby kickoff approaches on February 14.
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Australia coach Joe Schmidt before the Autumn Nations Series match. Getty
"There's obviously a lot of interest in this element, and Joe's been fantastic since he came in as national coach at the start of 2024. We're still working through," RA chief executive Phil Waugh told SEN.
"We talked through the fact that we'd have liked to have closed the position by the end of 2024, but that's obviously crept into 2025 and we're still working through with Joe, and others, around what post the Lions looks like to ensure we have the right environment, the right culture and the right performance from our Wallabies.
"So it's a work in progress around what the future looks like for the Wallabies coaching structure post the Lions tour."
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Joe Schmidt of the Wallabies speaks to Phil Waugh. Getty
Waugh was asked to explain what "creative" meant in terms of trying to persuade the 59-year-old.
"I think everyone's really enjoyed him being in the environment and leading the group, so it's about how do we work with Joe for what works for him and the Wallabies environment post the Lions," the former Wallabies captain replied.
"Joe is building a strong culture in and amongst the group."
Schmidt's wife and son – who has severe epilepsy – live in Taupo, New Zealand, and the coach as been transparent about the need to put family first.
So the waiting game continues.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said he had no idea which way Schmidt would go.
"Joe, we've got so much respect for him, what he's done for us as a squad and me as an individual," Wilson told Wide World of Sports during a visit to Melbourne to support Alex de Minaur and watch the Australian Open.
"We're all so grateful to have him and obviously we'd love for him to stick around but family's priority in anything and whatever he chooses would be the right thing for him and his family."
WWOS asked Wilson how difficult it would be to start afresh with a new coach should Schmidt move on.
"He's a world class coach and as the year went on, the more we got used to his coaching and the style he wanted us to play," he said.
"It's probably evident in that UK trip (Spring Tour), the brand of footy we played was starting to gel. So it'd be awesome to keep him so we can keep expanding, keep improving, getting better.
"The whole coaching group, we love playing under them and obviously it would be different getting a new coach.
"But we'll respect Joe's decision."
There has been some speculation that Schmidt could work alongside Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss with the Wallabies – or simply hand the reins to his former Ireland sidekick.
WWOS asked Wilson whether Kiss would be ready for the step up.
"I don't really want to comment on that," he said.
"The way I can speak about Les is that I love his coaching at Queensland. He's been awesome for me and a lot of the boys.
"I felt we've all improved a lot under him, and I really hope this year in our Reds season we can have a really big year for him."
Wallabies star Max Jorgensen also told WWOS he was in the dark regarding Schmidt's plans.
"We haven't heard anything but he's obviously a great coach," Jorgensen said.
"He's been really good for Australian rugby but we all know he has a family and stuff outside of footy that he needs to take care of.
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"So that's his choice. We'll all be behind him and support him but obviously if he stays, that'd be awesome for Rugby Australia."
Meanwhile, Waugh confirmed that Wallabies legend Michael Hooper was in the mix to play for a combined ANZAC team against the Lions in Adelaide on July 12.
Hooper has signed to play in Japan with Toyota Verblitz.
Michael Hooper of Toyota Verblitz gestures at Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground. Getty
"It's great to see Hoops lacing the boots up again," Waugh said.
"We want to put out a very high profile team, so if Hoops is fit I look forward to having a conversation around what his involvement in that game would look like."
Toyota's general manager Akitomo Goto said he hoped Hooper's presence would inspire young Japanese talent.
"This time we are looking forward not only to his on field performances but also to his role in helping develop the young players who will represent Japan in the near future," Goto said.
"We expect him to demonstrate his professionalism and leadership on and off the field."
