“Regardless of whether or not Italy are the best or have been at their best, that can’t be anything other than a great performance and result for the Wallabies.” Absolutely Marlon Maton. The first half in particular showcased the upside to this Australian team, and for the first time this tournament the second half did not reveal the same problematic drop-off after the break.
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“Clinical” is Harry Wilson’s word of the night to describe Australia’s effort to end “two weeks of pain.”
“Pretty poor” is Michele Lamaro’s assessment of Italy’s trip to the southern hemisphere. It has been a stinker of historic proportions on and off the field.
The Wallabies deservedly snap a six-match losing streak as “Working Class Man” (presumably unironically) rumbles around HBF Park. The second half did not match the first, again, but Italy were a weight division below Australia, especially in the forwards, and were unable to capitalise.
The home pack was dominant, scoring at will from set-pieces near the line, with six tries going to big men in gold, including a hat-trick to Josh Canham. Ryan Lonergan was excellent keeping his side rolling, while outside him both centres turned in eye-catching performances.
Full-time: Australia 57-10 Italy
The Joe Schmidt era ends with a thumping win in Perth.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 57-10 Italy (Donaldson, 80)
Eventually the ball comes out and Australia can run from their 22 to near halfway down the right. Daugunu has been lively since he came on and he slaloms to attract defenders. The Wallabies keep the ball alive down the left, Jorgensen finds an offload, Pollard busts the line hard, Valetini over the 22, and Donaldson can bound through the ragged visiting defence and around the back of the posts! It might be junk time but that was still thrilling counterattacking rugby.
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79 mins: A slowly reset scrum at this time of night is just what the game needs.
78 mins: The attempted kick to the right corner from 40m goes dead. The referee should just call this one now.
77 mins: Italy get to work again just ahead of halfway but make little ground through ten phases and have to return to an early penalty advantage.
75 mins: Italy win the lineout, the maul forms, it drifts towards the right corner, straightens up, and Dimcheff crosses for the try! Excellent set-piece execution and the replacement hooker gets the score. Hmmmm. Before the conversion there’s a check on the grounding – and it’s necessary – because Daugunu’s leg gets in the way, deflecting the placement and Italy remain on ten points.
74 mins: The Italian lineout is solid and the maul forms with a penalty advantage awarded early. Play is recalled to that infringement and Italy kick to the right corner.
73 mins: Slipper’s replacement, Bell, is instrumental in running Australia out of their 22. McDermott box kicks, Suaalii, wins the tap down, but then he doesn’t roll away and Italy get the penalty on halfway, kicking to the right on the 22.
71 mins: Italy get some long phase play in Australian territory but they never threaten to break the shackles and eventually Nonggorr is rewarded at the breakdown and the Wallabies clear.
Meanwhile, Slipper’s record-extending cameo is curtailed for an HIA.
69 mins: If the first half was a demonstration of modern fast-paced high scoring international rugby, the second half has not added to the narrative.
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Red card! (Riccioni, 67)
The initial penalty is against Canham, then Amatosero gets involved to drag an Italian away from a spotfire, that takes him into the Italian benches, where he is king hit by an Italian in a warm-down jacket! Marco Riccioni, who started in the front row, is sent off! Not that it materially impacts the game, but it’s yet another black mark against an Italian side battling with ill discipline.
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66 mins: There’s some fisticuffs on the touchline as Amatosero throws his weight around, dragging an Italian into the benches, then it all kicks off! There are non-playing staff involved and this will take some sorting out.
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TRY! Australia 50-10 Italy (Pollard, 65)
Another pushover try for the Wallabies! The penalty is kicked to the right corner, the lineout is sharp, the maul is patient, and Pollard has the honour of driving over the line. It has been a day out for the Australian forward pack, but on this occasion the maul was given impetus by the impressive Ikitau, who has been outstanding.
Meredith drags his conversion attempt wide.
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63 mins: Free-kick to the Wallabies at the scrum and Suaalii is quickly into the fray, orchestrating a rapid drive down the right for Potter, then drifting infield to the 22 on the left. Play is called back for a penalty to Australia, allowing Tizzano to receive a well deserved round of applause from his home fans as he is replaced by the impressive McReight.
62 mins: Ikitau gets busy behind a slick lineout just outside his own 22, but Nonggorr is stripped in contact and play grinds to a halt. This second half has become a little scrappy.
60 mins: Italy attack off the back of their scrum feed on their own 22 but as they cross the 10m line Tizzano forces the breakdown turnover. Of course they kick to the left corner. Can Canham get a fourth? No, the quick lineout didn’t go 5m.
58 mins: Amatosero, Wallaby 998, is a massive individual, and he almost gets to enjoy a brilliant Suaalii try but he can’t bring the ball in after latching onto a clever Ikitau chip over the defensive line.
56 mins: As the referee resets an Italian scrum, Amatosero readies himself for an international debut. Italy attack off the back and make good ground to the left until Australia hold them up on the 22. A long pass to the right touchline requires Meredith to execute a critical tackle on Ioane, after which momentum is lost and Italy cough up possession. Potter runs out of defence at breakneck speed and almost dances around the outside before he’s scragged.
54 mins: The benches are starting to be activated, which includes James Slipper, who is now the second-most capped international of all time, behind only Alun Wyn Jones.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 45-10 Italy (Canham, 52)
Canham has a hat-trick! Nothing fancy from the Wallabies, just reprising their pick and go dominance from the first half, storming their way over from close to the line.
Lonergan pushes the lead to 35 points.
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52 mins: Australia have a tap and go penalty 10m out on the left but there’s a delay while Ruzza gets patched up.
50 mins: Australia get decent attacking ball for the first time this half but as the maul starts to shear an Italian arm reaches through and slaps the ball out of Lonergan’s hands and it’s given as a knock-on against the Wallaby. The former Australian internationals on TV say exactly what you think they would, refusing to give the referee or the touch judge any benefit of the doubt for a decision that goes against their team.
48 mins: For the second time tonight Bell is penalised at the scrum and Italy kick across halfway. Garbisi manages a couple of neat inside-out runners as the visitors start to gather momentum but Suaalii and Tizzano bring that to a juddering halt with a superb tackle-jackle combination.
46 mins: The Wallabies are in no mood to engage in a kicking duel and run out of defence to the left. Jorgensen breaks clear and he can sniff an opening but his chip ahead is straight into the bread basket of Garbisi and Italy survive. Then they win a breakdown penalty for an Australian knock-on.
Skipper Lamaro is off the field for an HIA.
45 mins: Italy are awarded a free-kick from their scrum feed just inside their own half. Blue jerseys unfold to the right and start working through combinations with pace for the first time tonight. Austrlaia defend well though and eventually Garbisi is forced to kick.
43 mins: Italy get hands on the ball again on halfway but the box kick is a shocker, launched vertical into the Perth sky and it comes down in gold hands. Suaalii accepts contact on the left, Tizzano is hard at the line, but there’s no penetration and eventually a sluggish drive ends with Canham losing possession at the breakdown. The second half wobbles are back.
TRY! Australia 38-10 Italy (Ioane, 41)
Oh Australia, not again! Italy start the half on the front foot and Ioane dashes over with intent into the left corner! But play is being called back for a couple of earlier infringements. Was Meredith illegally cleared out? No. Was there an obstruction before the final pass to Ioane? No!
The second Italian conversion attempt of the night strikes the near post.
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41 mins: The second half is under way in Perth. Can Australia arrest their run of wretched finishes?
Over in Tokyo, France ran out 42-15 winners against Japan.
This is not a good Italian side but Australia have put them to the sword ruthlessly. The forward pack has been devastating, Ikitau and Potter are busy, and Lonergan has kept the juggernaut moving at pace with the minimum of fuss.
Half-time: Australia 38-5 Italy
This is turning into quite the send off for Joe Schmidt. The Wallabies are rampant in Perth.
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CONVERTED TRY! Australia 38-5 Italy (Ikitau, 40+2)
Have the Wallabies scored after the siren? From their attacking platform on the right the ball bobbles through hands like a bar of soap – it looks like three separate knocks-on – before Ikitau touches down. The TMO is patient, reviewing each separately. They don’t seem massively convinced either way so defer to the on-field call, which is a try!
Lonergan kicks two more points and Australia head to the sheds jubilant.
39 mins: Magnificent attacking rugby form Australia again. The lineout is short and nimble and allows Tizzano to bust the line. The breakdown is fast and Lonergan goes short side to Wilson on the whitewash. Play comes infield with momentum and Lonergan is over! Or not… he spilled the ball in contact just before the line! Agonising for the scrum-half, but play is called back for an earlier infringement.
38 mins: Australia get the better of a rare kicking exchange and will have the throw just inside Italian territory.
36 mins: Australia kick to halfway then begin a series of phases infield until Wright fumbles anticipating contact. Italy kick ahead and it requires a superb diving intervention form Ikitau to prevent a turnover score. The visitors keep the ball alive and run back into contact but Alaalatoa is too strong in the tackle and Williams too quick over the top and the Wallabies win the breakdown penalty.
34 mins: For the second time tonight the set-piece is slow and there’s no momentum to the attempted maul. Play goes infield and a series of blue runners hit the defensive line at speed, but none of them cross the gain line. Then there’s a handling error, an Australian penalty, and some flared tempers off the ball. This has been a tough night at the office for the visitors.
33 mins: Ikitau is isolated running out of defence and concedes a breakdown penalty. Italy kick to the right corner.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 31-5 Italy (Bell, 31)
The lineout is crisp, the maul is irresistible, and Bell crashes over. Magnificent set-piece try for the rampaging Australian forward pack.
Lonergan extends the already mighty lead.
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30 mins: The drop-out is won by a blue jersey but straight into gold hands. Australia try to expand but there’s an Italian offside and play is called back. The Wallabies kick to the left corner. Copy and paste?
29 mins: Everything is going Australia’s way so far. Potter does well running the ball out of defence then Lonergan drills a kick towards the right corner that bobbles out of Italy’s reach and results in a line drop-out.
TRY! Australia 24-5 Italy (Canham, 27)
Australia get straight back to work in that left corner. This time they persevere with the pick-and-go, and Canham gets his second!
Lonergan can’t add the extra two points with a poor conversion attempt.
25 mins: From the scrum just outside the 22 on the right Potter drives hard, backed by Valetini. Ikitau gets creative in midfield, linking with the industrious Potter. The rucks are being cleared at pace and yet again the Wallabies lay siege in the left corner. This tactic has already earned two tries this evening, will it be three? It will! But not with an inching pick-and-go, but by sending the ball out through hands to the vast open paddock of the right wing where Jorgensen has the easiest task in the world to jog over for his team’s fourth try.
However, play is being reviewed by the TMO for a possible knock-on against Lonergan on the ground after Wilson was stripped in contact earlier in the attack.
23 mins: Australia win more quick lineout ball just outside attacking 22. The ball is spun to the right and Jorgensen is clobbered in the tackle and Italy win secure the turnover – but their counter is halted almost immediately for a forward pass.
TRY! Australia 19-5 Italy (Lamaro, 20)
Italy secure lineout ball but it’s slow on the ground and they have to go through phases laterally left and right as the gold wall of jerseys marches up to meet them. Phase 10 takes the Azzurri back to where they began, but finally their patience is rewarded as space opens up on the left, the ball goes through hands cleanly and invites Lamaro to go around the outside. Wright initiates contact on the line – then Potter comes across to try to hold up the Italian skipper but the big flanker is too strong and crashes over. But is it a try? It requires the TMO to confirm – and there is a clear angle that shows a grounding. Italy are on the board!
The touchline conversion clips the near post and stays out.
18 mins: Italy are belatedly establishing a foothold and benefit from a scrum penalty from their first feed of the night. The resulting kick goes deep into the 22 on the right.
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16 mins: The defensive clearance almost turns into attack in a flash but Jorgensen can’t hold onto a 50:50 aerial contest under Lonergan’s box kick on halfway.
15 mins: A poor clearing kick from Meredith allows Italy to establish an attacking foundation and despite a contested lineout they mount some pressure and kick to the left corner off an offside penalty. However, the throw is much too long and the Wallabies clear.
14 mins: Italy need something to happen quickly or this could turn into an all-time disaster. The host broadcaster cuts to the coaches box, which does not contain the suspended Gonzalo Quesada.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 19-0 Italy (Paenga-Amosa, 12)
As with the first try, Australia are patient near the line, working through the pick-and-go drives until one pays off. Paenga-Amosa is the man with the golden ticket.
Lonergan makes it two from three.
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11 mins: Italy are in all sorts, unable to keep possession when they get the ball and getting carved open whenever Australia have a run. Potter is the latest to eat up the metres and establish another siege in the left corner.
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CONVERTED TRY! Australia 12-0 Italy (Wright, 9)
Another crisp lineout allows Ikitau to insert himself into the contest again. Valetini draws tacklers as Australia shift the attack from left to right. It looks to be stalling and heading laterally until Alaalatoa does superbly to catch and pass in one moment, creating room for Wright to enter the line from deep and spot the space opening up in the Italian defence on the outside. That space is miles wide as Ioane mistimes his tackle and the fullback crosses unopposed for his team’s second.
Lonergan strikes this conversion attempt sweetly and the Wallabies are motoring.
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8 mins: Australia’s lineout is clean again and Ikitau feeds Tizzano on a tear. Then Meredith attacks the line and Italy concede a dumb penalty for tackling Suaalii without the ball. The Wallabies boot to the left corner.
6 mins: Despite the forecast there is now rain falling in Perth. It doesn’t slow the Wallabies down though with Wright linking well with Williams and the big forward charging his way downfield, turning defensive ball into a massive territorial gain.
Wright kicks for territory, giving Italy their first use of the night. They make a minor incursion down the left before kicking for position.
TRY! Australia 5-0 Italy (Canham, 4)
The second lineout of the night is just outside the 22 on the right and it precedes a formidable rolling maul that lasts a full 30 seconds and travels 20 metres. A penalty advantage is inevitable, allowing the Wallabies to expand through hands to the left and almost cross in the left corner.
From there it’s a series of short pick-and-go drives as the phase count passes double figures. Every Australian forward has a dart, trying to burrow their way over the line, until eventually Canham accepts the pop-up pass from Ikitau to drill his way to five points. Excellent patient football and a deserved early score.
Lonergan gets nowhere near with his conversion.
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2 mins: Italy immediately kick away the long kick-off and almost pinch the first Australian lineout. The Wallabies get away with it and Ikitau drives hard into the line and wins a breakdown penalty.
Kick-off!
It’s eight v ten on the World Rankings, two teams without a win in the Nations Championship, who will come out on top? We are under way in Perth …
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Formalities taken care of, kick-off is imminent.
And those two teams have walked up the steps of the HBF Park race and jogged out into the Perth evening.
There is a different feel to the presentation at such a compact venue compared to the massive bowls the Wallabies usually perform in. It’s old school and intimate. I’m in favour.
Both teams are wearing their traditional colours, which means Australia in gold with green accents, and Italy in blue with flashes of white.
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Despite Australian rugby’s struggles, tonight’s match is a sell out, the sixth in a row for the Wallabies.
Referee: Paris-born Englishman Christophe Ridley.
Conditions: It is mild and dry at HBF Park, but there is a little wind at a venue that is comparatively small and open by Australian standards.
The ground has a capacity of around 25,000 and is home to the Western Force in Super Rugby. The Wallabies have played here twice before, defeating Argentina in 2016 and tying with South Africa a year later.
There’s another Nations Championship fixture under way with France leading Japan 35-15 in Tokyo, just after half-time.
One match in the Nations Championship has already finished today and it saw the All Blacks run in six tries against Ireland at Eden Park.
That’s 34 points on France, 47 on Italy, and now 40 on Ireland. The Dave Rennie era is off to a flying start.
Angus Fontaine looks ahead to tonight’s match, and reflects on the Joe Schmidt era.
Schmidt’s tenure as head coach started in 2024 with three straight victories at home. However, he has since won just eight of his 27 Tests in charge. And if his men fall to the Azzurri on Saturday – as they have in their last two clashes, in 2022 and 2025 – Schmidt’s win-loss record falls below 36% and leaves Australian rugby dealing with a terrible hangover.
Italy XV
Italy have made nine changes to the starting XV that lost to the All Blacks last time out. Some of those are enforced, with key lock Niccolo Cannone banned for four games for a headbutt, and fullback Tommaso Allan and No.8 Lorenzo Cannone both injured.
15. Lorenzo Pani, 14. Louis Lynagh, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Paolo Odogwu, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Alessandro Garbisi, 8. Ross Vintcent, 7. Michele Lamaro (c), 6. Riccardo Favretto, 5. Federico Ruzza, 4. Giulio Marini, 3. Marco Riccioni, 2. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1. Muhamed Hasa
Replacements: 16. Pablo Dimcheff, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Ion Neculai, 19. Andrea Zambonin, 20. Alessandro Ortombina, 21. Alessandro Fusco, 22. Giacomo Da Re, 23. Leonardo Marin
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Australia XV
Joe Schmidt has made three changes to his final starting XV as Wallabies coach. Two of those are injury enforced with Harry Potter and Brandon Paenga-Amosa coming in for Dylan Pietsch and Josh Nasser.
The final selection is more curious with Australia’s standout performer against France, Fraser McReight, dropping to the bench and Carlo Tizzano coming into the back row. The logic is twofold: Tizzano is a Perth local and will give the home fans someone to get behind, and Australia lost the second half so appallingly in Brisbane there is a need to develop the same Bomb Squad finisher culture that has served the Springboks so well over the past decade.
1. Angus Bell, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Josh Canham, 5. Jeremy Williams, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Harry Potter, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright.
Replacements: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. James Slipper, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Miles Amatosero, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
Daniel Gallan cast his eye over the state of Australian rugby following the second half collapse against Les Bleus.
Do Australia continue trying to play like a heavyweight without heavyweight depth? Or do they recalibrate and lean more into a game built around their speed, breakdown threats and willingness to embrace a little chaos? That may work occasionally, but it isn’t cutting it against the top sides.
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Italy in round three of the Southern Hemisphere series of the 2026 Nations Championship. Kick-off at Perth’s HBF Park is scheduled for 6.10pm local time (8.10pm AEST).
These are dark days for Australian rugby. The Wallabies have lost six Tests in a row, and suffered 19 defeats in their past 27 matches. Last weekend they were torn apart in the second half by a rampant France, leaving captain Harry Wilson bereft and apologising to his side’s fans for letting them down.
It was the kind of moment that would have led to calls for change – if change wasn’t already afoot. Tonight is the final Test in the two-year reign of Joe Schmidt.
Between Bob Dwyer’s appointment in 1982 and the departure of Robbie Deans in 2013 each coach of the Wallabies boasted a win rate of at least 58%. Since then nobody has passed break even. Dave Rennie managed just 36%. His successor is currently on 39.
Waiting in the wings, Les Kiss is on a hiding to nothing.
But he will surely take over a team with a morale-boosting win under its belt. Like Australia, Italy are 0-2 in the Nations Championship, but their head coach, Gonzalo Quesada, is banned for the night, and nine changes have been made to the Azzurri starting XV with key players absent.
Italy have never beaten the Wallabies on Australian soil, but they have won the past two clashes between the pair, most recently in November last year in Udine.
I’ll be back with final team lists and more shortly. Please send me your emails and keep me company throughout the evening. The address is jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.
