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The Wallabies will be looking back up a strong forward performance when they take on Italy in Florence. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 1.00am AEDT.
No doubt this will be another physical encounter, and a strong Italian pack will attempt to take advantage of any weakness shown by the Wallabies.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans made four changes to the starting team, which he says should add some “fresh legs and enthusiasm” to the team.
He has opted to start veteran halfback Brett Sheehan in place of Nick Phipps, despite the young Rebel playing one of his best games in gold last week.
It will be Sheehan’s debut run on performance, having warmed the pine for the Wallabies since Will Genia’s injury in the Rugby Championship.
Drew Mitchell also comes back into the side after a lengthy absence due to injury.
It caps yet another comeback from injury for the talented winger, who said at one point he contemplated never being able to play for the Wallabies again.
“I was looking at never playing again, so this Italy game is an opportunity, at one point, I thought I wouldn’t have,” Mitchell said.
Wallabies fans will of course be hoping that he gets plenty of ball and can showcase the attacking prowess he demonstrated before he was injured in Super Rugby last year.
The man many say was responsible for Mitchell’s injury last year, Scott Higginbotham, has been flown in from Australia and will resume his place in the starting side at number 6, in place of Dave Dennis.
No doubt Higginbotham will be raring to go after his three-week suspension for headbutting and kneeing Richie McCaw.
He admits to have learnt his lesson about off-the-ball incidents, but will still be looking to impose himself against the Italians.
Stephen Moore comes into the side in the place of Tatafu Polota-Nau, which should bolster the set piece.
Speaking of the set piece, the Italians will be looking at the Wallabies’ game against their Mediterranean neighbours from two weeks ago, and will try to exploit any weakness the Wallabies show at scrum time.
Veteran prop, crowd favourite and contender for best name in rugby Martin Castrogiovanni will do his best to shove the Wallabies scrum around.
Also look for captain and number 8 Sergio Parisse making metres up the middle and using his powerful fend.
The Italians were well in it against the All Blacks for the first 60 minutes of the match last week, before the scoreline blew out in the last quarter.
They would need to match that effort for the full 80 if there is to be a boilover here.
The Wallabies have never lost to Italy in the 14 games they’ve played, and shouldn’t lose this one either.
However, given the hot and cold nature of their performance recently, I’m not writing the Azzurri off.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.