Italy left the Wallabies feeling an azure shade of blue for a second consecutive time when they upset the Australians’ 26-19 win in Udine on the weekend.
The result was the Azzuri’s second consecutive Test win over Australia after their 28-27 win in 2022.
The Wallabies led 12-9 at halftime but Italian wingers Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane crossed for back-to-back tries to secure to the result.
The scoring started with a penalty goal to Italy’s Paolo Garbisi in the 8th minute. 3-0.
Four minutes later, Garbisi kicked a second after the Wallabies collapsed a scrum in their five-metre area. 6-0.
In the 23rd minute, Matt Faessler scored for the Wallabies but the try was unconverted. 6-5.
In the 33rd minute, Wallabies prop Angus Bell reached out with ball in hand to score a try that was converted by Andrew Kellaway. 12-6.
In the 37th minute, Garbisi kicked a third penalty goal and the score read 12-9 at halftime to Australia.
ITALY STRIKES LATE
Former All Black Aidan Ross came on for the Wallabies in the second half but in the 49th minute, Garbisi kicked another penalty to level the scores. 12-12.
Four minutes later, Carter Gordon scores a converted try. 19-12.
In the 58th minute, Lynagh, the Italian-born son of Wallaby great Michael, scored in the corner with a converted try. 19-19.
A minute later, Wallaby Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent to the sin-bin for 10 minutes for a high tackle.
Four minutes after that card, former Australian Ioane crashed over for a converted try. 26-19.
The defeat has also badly dented Australia’s chances of a favourable top six placing at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which they are hosting.
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OTHER TEST RESULTS
Argentina mauled Wales 52-28 in Cardiff, who had welcomed back Louis Rees-Zammit after an unsuccessful attempt to play NFL.
New Zealand were able to steer clear of Scotland with a 25-17 win at Edinburgh thanks to a try by Damien Mackenzie with the All Blacks suffering three yellow cards.
England saw off Fiji 38-18 at Twickenham, South Africa defeated France 32-17 despite having a player sent off and Ireland defeated Japan 41-10 at Lansdowne Road.
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