Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has credited outgoing coach Joe Schmidt for helping him regain his mojo and he hopes to retain his role as skipper when Les Kiss takes over.
Schmidt and assistant coach Laurie Fisher will bow out after the Wallabies take on Italy in Saturday night's Nations Championship clash at Perth's HBF Park.
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Australia are on a six-match losing streak and have lost nine of their past 10 Tests, but Wallabies players are vowing to send Schmidt and Fisher off with a win.
Although Schmidt's Wallabies era currently stands at 11 victories and 19 losses for a winning clip of just 36.7 per cent, the individual growth in some players has been huge.
Wilson is the prime example of that.
The 26-year-old wasn't even picked for the disastrous 2023 World Cup under Eddie Jones, but by August 2024 he was captaining the Wallabies thanks to Schmidt's faith.
Wilson has gone from strength to strength since then and paid tribute to Schmidt on the eve of the Kiwis' final game in charge.
"Joe means so much to me. He really believed in me, probably to the point where I didn't believe in myself as much as him," Wilson said in Perth on Friday.
"His relentless support and always keeping you accountable to make you a better footballer is something I really appreciate.
"And his genuine care for you as a person and care for your family - he's been an amazing coach, and we've loved having him."
Kiss will take over as coach following Saturday's match and Wilson said he would love to retain the captaincy role.
"Les can choose what he wants. It's his team moving forward," Wilson said.
"I'd love to remain in the role, but if he wants to move in a different direction, it's up to him."
World No.10 Italy have beaten the world No.8 Wallabies in the past two meetings, including a shock 26-19 win on last year's spring tour.
"They're a really good team and last year versing them in Italy, they beat us in the physical battle," Wilson said.
"Their backs were unbelievable and we know what sort of team they are."
Schmidt has stuck with last week's debutant Declan Meredith at flyhalf, despite Ben Donaldson recovering from a calf injury.
Star flanker Fraser McReight, who scored two first-half tries in last week's 42-26 loss to France, has been relegated to the bench after pulling up sore from that match.
It means hometown hero Carlo Tizzano has been handed a start in what is his first Test of 2026.
"Carlo will bring a lot of energy," Wilson said.
"He loves defending, loves making a lot of tackles and he's a very physical seven.
"And I know how much it means for him to be playing this game too. He's been excited all week. You can't take the grin off his face and I've got no doubt he'll be in everything."
Italy, who beat England and Scotland during the Six Nations Championship, are set to be without their coach Gonzalo Quesada for Saturday's match after the Argentinian copped a two-game ban for comments he made following last week's 47-17 loss to the All Blacks.
Quesada said referee Luc Ramos had been "super poor" and blamed the large margin of defeat due to the actions of the whist blower.
Italy are appealing the ban, but it remains to be seen whether Quesada will be free to coach against the Wallabies.
