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Wallabies vs Italy highlights: International rugby live scores, blog

24th June, 2017
Where: Suncorp Stadium
When: 3pm AEST
TV: Fox Sports 1
Betting: Australia $1.02, Italy $15
Last meeting: Italy 20 - 50 Australia (2013)

Wallabies
1. Scott Sio 2. Stephen Moore 3. Allan Alaalatoa 4. Rory Arnold 5. Adam Coleman 6. Ned Hanigan 7. Michael Hooper 8. Lopeti Timani 9. Will Genia 10. Bernard Foley 11. Sefa Naivalu 12. Karmichael Hunt 13. Rob Horne 14. Dane Haylett-Petty 15. Israel Folau

Subs: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Toby Smith 18. Sekope Kepu 19. Sam Carter 20. Jack Dempsey 21. Joe Powell 22. Quade Cooper 23. Reece Hodge

Italy
Andrea Lovotti 2. Luca Bigi 3. Simone Ferrari 4. Marco Fuser 5. Dean Budd 6. Francesco Minto 7. Maxime Mbanda 8. Andries Van Schalkwyk 9. Tito Tebaldi 10. Tommaso Allan 11. Giovambattista Venditti 12. Tommaso Boni 13. Michele Campagnaro 14. Angelo Esposito 15. Edoardo Padovani

Subs: 16. Ornel Gega 17. Federico Zani 18. Pietro Ceccarelli 19. Marco Lazzaroni 20. Abraham Steyn 21. Edoardo Gori 22. Carlo Canna 23. Tommaso Benvenuti
Stephen Moore has been as captain, and from the team, for the Fiji Test. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)
Roar Guru
24th June, 2017
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Match result:

A try from Bernard Foley in the 76th minute has sealed a win for the Wallabies over Italy, but it was a long way from being a convincing victory.

» Click here to read the full match report

Final score
Wallabies 40
Italy 27

Match preview:

The Wallabies head to Brisbane this Saturday to take on Italy. The men in gold are desperate to save face after last week’s 19-24 loss to Scotland in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and updates, starting from 3pm AEST.

Coach Michael Cheika has shuffled his squad, recalling captain Stephen Moore to the front row as one of six changes to the starting 15.

Scott Sio, Rory Arnold, Lopeti Timani, Sefa Naivalu, and Rob Horne are the others to earn recalls.

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Jack Dempsey also features on the bench for a possible debut despite missing almost the entire Super Rugby season through injury.

As for the Italians, they’ll be frustrated on the back of a narrow 22-19 loss to Fiji thanks to a late Ben Volavola drop goal.

The Azzurri have not won a Test since November 2016 when they upset the Springboks, but they’ll hardly get a better chance to topple a Wallabies outfit low on confidence and cohesion.

The visitors have made just two starting changes, bringing in Tito Tebaldi at scrumhalf, as well as Andries Van Schalkwyk at No.8, while Marco Lazzaroni joins the bench.

“We came so close, we should’ve beaten Fiji on the balance looking back on the game, but we know this is a step up in class,” said Italy coach Conor O’Shea.

“We’re on a huge growth curve in Italian rugby. Changes that should’ve been made years ago, we’re making now with group of young players who are learning a lot, getting better.”

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It shapes as an interesting tactical battle ‒ O’Shea’s team made headlines during the Six Nations when they refused to engage in rucks and swarmed around a bewildered England side.

Meanwhile, some have questioned Cheika’s apparent lack of game plan, let alone a Plan B or C.

Prediction
The Wallabies have never lost to Italy in their previous 16 encounters, although they look mighty vulnerable at the moment.

The visitors will bring physicality plus a few tactical tricks up their sleeve, but the home side will be determined to defuse the heavy scrutiny they’ve been copping.

Wallabies by 10.

Join The Roar for live scores and updates, starting from 3pm AEST.

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