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.
Shungmao
Guest
I think you guys have no idea, according to deans we were good. What a joke LOL Deans was disappointed by his side's poor execution in the second half where their handling let them down badly. "It's frustrating that we are creating chances but we're not finishing them," the Wallabies coach said. "It was a very good start by the lads. We didn't quite get the return we were hoping for. It was very stop-start in the second half and Italy brought a lot of pressure to bare. They played well." Deans denies Australia simply switched off in the second half. "I don't think that was a big part of it. You can't fault the physical effort of our blokes. Clearly we weren't accurate," he said
Brett McKay
Expert
According to Ruckin' Good Stats: Possession: 1H: Italy 64% Australia 36% 2H: Italy 62% Australia 38% Match: Italy 63% Australia 37% Territory: 1H: Italy 43% Australia 57% 2H: Italy 53% Australia 47% Match: Italy 48% Australia 52%
James
Guest
no surprises here. Take one step forward then take 5 steps back the following week
Broken Knees
Guest
Well what a shambles, we can only score one try against the No 11 side. Do we not have the players or the talent. We continue to kick away possession, drop the ball and bad passing. There is no structure in attack and we are totally void of any new attacking moves or go forward. Is it the coach or the lack of disipline of the players. If Rugby is going to grow and servive in Australia we need to start sorting it out now. I vote to put the broom through the place and start again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ozrugbynut
Guest
Lost the breakdown and missed Pocock. Slipper was a penalty magnet as usual. Dissappointing. Forwards were very lazy and inaccurate at the breakdown Anyone else mystified why Tapuai does not get more ball? Has looked the most dangerous back so far this tour.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
That'll do me folks. Thanks to Red Kev, GWS and the boys for hanging around. It's been emotional.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
Now that was em disappointing
Stanley grella
Guest
That was far from the worst, the first half hour was actually positive & well disciplined rugby. As soon as Sheehan got injured everyone went missing and lost interest. The 2nd half alone can be judged as close to worst, the game as a whole cannot.
atlas
Guest
it keeps the figures simple meanwhile that other team has scored 44 in 12. Maybe they've got it wrong.
Archer
Guest
In 2011 we were close to 3.5 but that included games against Russia and the USA. And that was with QC running the attack . . I just don't understand rugby any more.
gekko
Roar Rookie
There was a ref with an L on his back and Blind Freddy for TMO. Not to mention a poor performance from the boys ... yet again. Narrow field with 3rd world turf on it. Certainly not acceptable standard for a top class rugby game. Neither was our performance. Hope for a bit razzle dazzle for next week.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Par for the course, right RK? One try = entertaining game of rugby. And 2 + 2 = 5 according to Radiohead I think.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
They certainly showed some guts in defence. I wonder what would have happened if we played an attack with a little more enterprise than Italy, say the All Blacks or Wales.
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Some more telling statistics: Kicks: Italy 29 Aus 27 Passes: Ita 124 Aus:91 Runs: Ita 126 Aus 63 Metres run: Ita 492 Aus 247
GWS
Guest
forwards were getting beat longer it went on backs had no attack but d was very good
Patrick Effeney
Editor
Would deliver but Scrum.com is not cooperating, and I was too busy bashing my keyboard or sorting out stream issues to note who was tackling who, and how many penalties were given where.
Xiedazhou
Guest
What was it Quade said? Something about toxic? How long can this rubbish continue to be served up to the long suffering Wallaby fans? Where is the accountability? Does anyone still think Beale is the answer at 10?
Brett McKay
Expert
I'll have some detailed stats once 'my guy' sends them through Harry, but I think you'd be right, it wouldn't be a high number for the Wallabies..
Red Kev
Guest
We scored one, that's 14 in 14 games in 2012, that's enough isn't it? Rugby isn't supposed to be entertaining is it?
MaxT
Guest
Can you score tries from kicking it aimlessly away?