15 Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse, 28 caps)
14 Louis Lynagh (Benetton Rugby, 7 caps)
13 Juan Ignacio Brex (Toulon, 46 caps) – captain
12 Tommaso Menoncello (Benetton Rugby, 31 caps)
11 Monty Ioane (Lyon, 39 caps)
10 Paolo Garbisi (Toulon, 47 caps)
9 Stephen Varney (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
8 Lorenzo Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)
7 Manuel Zuliani (Benetton Rugby, 35 caps)
6 Ross Vintcent (Exeter Chiefs, 17 caps)
5 Andrea Zambonin (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
4 Niccolò Cannone (Benetton Rugby, 55 caps)
3 Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 66 caps)
2 Giacomo Nicotera (Stade Français, 34 caps)
1 Danilo Fischetti (Northampton Saints, 55 caps)

16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo (Zebre Parma, 3 caps)
17 Mirco Spagnolo (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
18 Marco Riccioni (Saracens, 34 caps)
19 Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 64 caps)
20 Alessandro Izekor (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
21 Martin Page-Relo (Bordeaux, 18 caps)
22 Tommaso Allan (Perpignan, 86 caps)
23 Leonardo Marin (Benetton Rugby, 15 caps)

Perfect opportunity for the Lynagh boys to play each other, missed.

Not sure what to make of this game. We've only shuffled a couple of players, and Italy are a good team to watch these days. They're missing those couple of star back rowers but you wouldn't fuck with their tight five.

Samu and Valetini on the bench point to Hooper being the lock sub, which is not good against a handy pack, and looking at a fast finish.

Weather should be good so at least there is the promise of some actual rugby.

@NTA I’m expecting a pretty tight game. Oz have what looks to be a decent bench so that may be the difference. Italy have that ability much like Argentina to play width and expose any lazy defenders or fatties that find themselves out wide.

@Duluth said in Italy v Australia:

15 Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse, 28 caps)

Only 28? Italy don't play many tests?

@Duluth said in Italy v Australia:

14 Louis Lynagh (Benetton Rugby, 7 caps)

Son of?

@ACT-Crusader said in Italy v Australia:

I’m expecting a pretty tight game.

Italy have an Argentine like ability to stop their opposition playing.

My bias says Aus is favourite, probably because I am familiar with their players, but the above means they'll do it tough.

@booboo said in Italy v Australia:

@Duluth said in Italy v Australia:

15 Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse, 28 caps)

Only 28? Italy don't play many tests?

5 matches in the 6N
2-3 mid year
Maybe only 3 in November? :man_shrugging:

He had a big injury break I think

@NTA said in Italy v Australia:

@booboo said in Italy v Australia:

@Duluth said in Italy v Australia:

15 Ange Capuozzo (Toulouse, 28 caps)

Only 28? Italy don't play many tests?

5 matches in the 6N
2-3 mid year
Maybe only 3 in November? :man_shrugging:

He had a big injury break I think

Four seasons of internationals, 5, 5, 11 and 7 matches respectively.

Italy have started strong. Up 6-0

Oz hit back with a maul try, even though I thought the lineout throw was not straight (and there was a half jump by the Italian lock).

Italy lead 6-5 after the conversion was missed.

Aussie leading 12-9 at the break.

italy won’t win this kicking penalties

That’s about as screwed up as it gets , despite the strip the ball goes forward out of Wilson’s hands but the referee sees no knock on ..
Am I missing something.?

Italy lead 26-19 with 18 to go

Scoring tries, that’s the way.

Forza Italia!

@Steven-Harris said in Italy v Australia:

That’s about as screwed up as it gets , despite the strip the ball goes forward out of Wilson’s hands but the referee sees no knock on ..
Am I missing something.?

I was surprised by that one. Italy goes for the strip, doesn't quite get it, then Wilson knocks on. Though it was clear and would be a quick overturn by TMO, but ref was adamant.

Also nice to see the Italians heads not to go down after that one.

2 minutes to go and up 7!

Wow, Italy close it out.

Well played Italy - showed some guts. And skill!

Italy win. Great stuff.

Huge

Nice. Australia need to stop employing part time coaches.

Is this the first Italy win over Aussie?

Second

In Florence

A massive blow to Australia's chances of being seeded in the top six in their own World Cup.

Wallabies just never looked desperate to me. They look like a team who thinks just doing what you do on training field is enough? Trouble is in a game you have desperate fellas against you.

The capitulation of the Wallabies since their win over SA has been almost as bad as under Eddie Jones. They have lost 9 tests this year and easily could have lost to both Fiji and Japan as well. Schmidt is probably lucky that he has already resigned to be honest .

@Stag said in Italy v Australia:

The capitulation of the Wallabies since their win over SA has been almost as bad as under Eddie Jones. They have lost 9 tests this year and easily could have lost to both Fiji and Japan as well. Schmidt is probably lucky that he has already resigned to be honest .

And that win was because SA were treating the match as a training run. Gave the aussies a false sense of confidence

schmidt’s winning percentage with the wallabies is 38%. By comparison deans was 58%.

@sparky said in Italy v Australia:

A massive blow to Australia's chances of being seeded in the top six in their own World Cup.

Funny thing is because it their home WC, they always end up in pool A, so no disadvantage ending up outside the top 6 anyway.

Losing Ikitau and Wright plus the non selection of Skelton are reasons why the Wallabies aren't firing. Lack of depth.

@cgrant said in Italy v Australia:

Losing Ikitau and Wright plus the non selection of Skelton are reasons why the Wallabies aren't firing. Lack of depth.

Ahh, the old “it’s the cattle” problem.

Some of the tactics tonight were poor, especially against a team that loves to play the width.

The Carter try highlights the problem with the over reliance on the TMO. The more replays they watch, the more they convince themselves that the Italian player was the last to touch the ball and therefore ignore that Wilson actually lost it. Not a fan of that sort of thing

What was Suaalii's YC for? It looks to have been costly (14 pts).

@Bovidae said in Italy v Australia:

What was Suaalii's YC for? It looks to have been costly (14 pts).

High tackle in the red zone. Italy scored from the ensuing play whilst he was still on.

It's a knock on. Why is anyone debating?

Anyway, Tier 2 status secured.

Suaalii needs to lower his body height. Several times this year, particularly from behind, he's gone over the shoulder

@Bovidae said in Italy v Australia:

What was Suaalii's YC for? It looks to have been costly (14 pts).

The YC was technically awarded after the first try as it happened in the lead up.

So while he was off they scored 7

@cgrant said in Italy v Australia:

Losing Ikitau and Wright plus the non selection of Skelton are reasons why the Wallabies aren't firing. Lack of depth.

Can't agree.

While they're excellent players, we've got 4 fucking professional teams to pick from and we can't get anyone capable?

I've only watched highlights but the usual issues appear to be there: defensive alignment, fitness, and cohesion.

These guys aren't battle-hardened. That's why we aren't getting results, only injuries

@Dan54 said in Italy v Australia:

@sparky said in Italy v Australia:

A massive blow to Australia's chances of being seeded in the top six in their own World Cup.

Funny thing is because it their home WC, they always end up in pool A, so n0 disadvantage ending up outside the top 6 anyway.

They end up in Pool A but that doesn't mean they'll be top seeds in their pool. They'll be second seeds, so they'll still have a top team alongside them.

@Mr-Fish said in Italy v Australia:

@Dan54 said in Italy v Australia:

@sparky said in Italy v Australia:

A massive blow to Australia's chances of being seeded in the top six in their own World Cup.

Funny thing is because it their home WC, they always end up in pool A, so n0 disadvantage ending up outside the top 6 anyway.

They end up in Pool A but that doesn't mean they'll be top seeds in their pool. They'll be second seeds, so they'll still have a top team alongside them.

Yep mate what I meant was even if they get second in their pool, the second place getter in pool A and C get easier draw for round of 16. Saw it explained somewhere, can't remember the show.

@NTA said in Italy v Australia:

@cgrant said in Italy v Australia:

Losing Ikitau and Wright plus the non selection of Skelton are reasons why the Wallabies aren't firing. Lack of depth.

Can't agree.

While they're excellent players, we've got 4 fucking professional teams to pick from and we can't get anyone capable?

I've only watched highlights but the usual issues appear to be there: defensive alignment, fitness, and cohesion.

These guys aren't battle-hardened. That's why we aren't getting results, only injuries

Played a Lions series and Rugby Championship - and Super rugby, where almost every game was a dogfight to qualify - might be running out of steam.

@Chris-B given we're in the second rank now for RWC qualification, might as well give some blokes a rest.

At this rate we will be lucky to get knocked out in the QFs. Of our own RWC.