Nations Series, Italy wins against Australia 26-19

Italy-Australia, the first match of the Quilter Nations Series, ended with a convincing victory for the Azzurri. At the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine, in front of 23,191 spectators, the Italian national rugby team won 26-19 over the Wallabies, seventh in the world rankings. Three tries were scored by the visitors (two converted), with the hosts building their score with kicks by Paolo Garbisi and then goals by Lynagh and Ioane. The Azzurri opening half hit the posts six times out of six, proving to be a perfect placer, even if that is not what he usually does at the club. Coach Gonzalo Quesada recalled at the end of the match, at the microphones of Sky, that before the match he had been asked why he had not fielded a placer, but his confidence in Garbisi was more than repaid: 'He did his job well. I thought he might miss one or two,' but instead he was perfect, with a 100 per cent percentage. "All victories are good. It was difficult to play a perfect game, we had some problems with timing, in the lineout and in attack but, with the few quality balls we had, we did well. I am happy with the way we managed the game,' said Quesada, who led Italy to victory over Australia for the second time in history, three years after the first time, in 2022 in Florence.

Italy's strengths were discipline and mental toughness. The Azzurri made fewer fouls than Australia - who also played 10 minutes in numerical inferiority due to a yellow card - and they did not get down when the Tmo validated Carter Gordon's try in the 51st minute, vitiated by a forward pass at the start of the action that was not recognised. Quite a serious error on the part of the referee and his 'helper', underlined by the hearty booing of the Udine stadium. The third goal of the Wallabies that took them temporarily ahead 19-12 could have been a turning point in favour of the guests but the Azzurri were able to react and maintain their concentration until the triple whistle. "It's a great victory. We worked a lot in these weeks and I think it showed. We attacked less than expected but we showed that with the ball in our hands we are dangerous. We were good at not conceding too much,' said Tommaso Menoncello before returning to the locker room with captain Juan Ignacio Brex, who spoke of 'incredible satisfaction. In these days we found a group full of energy and enthusiasm and we managed to bring them on the pitch. We've changed our heads,' adding that for one night we celebrate and then immediately head to South Africa, the number one team in the world that Italy will face next Saturday in Turin. The icing on the cake of the day was the title of best man on the pitch for Italy's scrum-half Stephan Varney.

The score was unblocked in the 7th minute with a spot kick by Garbisi (3-0). Italy were able to consolidate their advantage in the 11th minute again thanks to the foot of the Italian halfback (6-0). Despite the possession in Australia's favour, the hosts failed to concretise their play, thanks also to the defence and pressure of the Azzurri. On 21 minutes, the Wallabies' first try came with hooker Faessler after an advancing maul. Kellaway does not convert for the temporary 6-5. The match proceeded with a certain balance of forces even though Australia maintained possession. In the 32nd minute the second try of the guests, with pylon Bell leading to the overtaking. With the conversion the score reached 6-12. Garbisi shortened the distance by hitting the posts in the 37th minute to make it 9-12. The second half began in the same vein as the first, with Garbisi scoring another kick (12-12) in the 49th minute. The Australian reaction was immediate with Carter Gordon's try on 51 minutes and Kellaway's conversion (12-19). From this moment on, the Wallabies remained empty, while the Azzurri went in goal first on 58' with Lynagh (Venetian mother and former Australian national team dad) and then on 62' with Monty Ioane (Australian by birth and Italian by adoption) . Both goals were converted by the usual Garbisi for the 26-19 final.

Italy-Australia 26-19 (first half 9-12)

For Italy: 2 tries (Lynagh in the 58th minute and Ioane in the 62nd minute), 4 spot kicks (Garbisi) and 2 transformations.