Florence: Dave Rennie’s decision to make 11 changes to his starting team has backfired spectacularly, with Italy recording their first-ever win against the Wallabies in one of the biggest boilovers in Test history.
Debutant Ben Donaldson had a kick to win the match after full-time, following a try from Cadeyrn Neville after regulation time, but the conversion attempt sailed right in heartbreaking fashion for the young playmaker.
Ange Capuozzo of Italy celebrates at the end of the match.Credit:
The Randwick product was consoled by teammates as Italy celebrated a 28-27 win, which will be the most famous victory in their nation’s rugby history.
Australia’s 39-year unbeaten streak over Italy, from 18 previous encounters, is officially over as the men in gold were punished for poor discipline.
Despite never beating Australia, this Italian team were never going to be easybeats.
Tom Wright scores a try as Pierre Bruno tries to push him into touch.Credit:
A one-point win over Wales in the Six Nations earlier this year showed their flair and ability to match it with big teams.
There were wild scenes at full-time in Florence as Italy hung on for a mighty win.
Rennie’s selections will be the subject of much debate following the historic loss, with big name players such as Michael Hooper, Nic White, James Slipper and others rested for the third match of a five-Test tour.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for Wallabies fans who simply want the best team picked every week.
The Wallabies trailed for 78 minutes of the match and were down 17-8 at half-time.
When livewire Italian fullback Ange Capuozzo sliced through to score his second try in the 65th minute, Italy were ahead 25-15 and on the cusp of history.
Australia’s ill-discipline was once again a major problem. After winning a breakdown penalty, courtesy of Lachlan Lonergan, the call was overturned because of a Tom Robertson tackle off the ball.
But Robertson redeemed himself moments later with a try in the 68th minute, that came off a crucial spoil from Darcy Swain at an Italian lineout.
A penalty in the 76th minute put Italy ahead by six points before Neville’s last-gasp try gave the Wallabies hope of getting out of jail.
Donaldson, who replaced Lolesio in the 76th minute, was given the ball for a kick he would have dreamt of his entire life.
He struck it well but it went to the right. As far as cruel blows come, they don’t get any tougher.
Things began poorly from the first kick-off for Australia with a knock-on and things barely improved.
Mark Nawaqanitawase’s first involvement at Test level was a terrific tackle that helped turn possession over.
Italy winger Monty Ioane, who was crunched by his cousin Pete Samu early in the match, looked dangerous and played somewhat of a role in Jake Gordon being yellow-carded in the 16th minute.
It was a critical moment in the match.
Australia were reduced to 14 men when Gordon hit No.10 Tommaso Allan off the ball as he raced through to re-gather a kick off the back of a break down the left edge from Ioane.
Italy pounced in a big way, scoring two tries with Gordon off the field to stun the visitors with a 17-3 advantage.
The second of the tries saw Nawaqanitawase fall for a dummy as the local home crowd roared with delight with a boilover on the cards.
“The Wallabies are under enormous pressure,” quipped Stan Sport commentator and former Wallabies centre Tim Horan.
Noah Lolesio floated a lovely pass to set up Tom Wright for Australia’s first five-pointer but two failed conversions – there was a re-kick – saw the Wallabies go into the sheds trailing by nine points.
Gordon was replaced in the 55th minute with Australia down 20-15 and needing something special.
Will Skelton’s first start for Australia since 2016 was productive. He made good post-contact metres and powered his way through a maul to win back possession.
