Rugby Test: Italians out to Impress

20.06.2009
Italy v Australia in Melbourne (2nd test)


Preview
Italy were very competitive against Australia in the first test, especially in the forwards. Their backs lacked penetration. Nik Mallett the Italian coach has made up to ten changes from the first test side in an attempt to inject more urgency and fluidity in their play which was rather one-dimentional in the first test.


The Ausralian looked very sharp, especially in their backs, last weekend. Poor finishing and a strong challenege from Italy up front limited their domination of the match. The Aussies will be looking for a more polished performance and will be expecting a better performance from their forwards. Robbie Deans has made a number of changes which include leaving Matt Giteau and Sterling Mortlock out of the squad altogether. The move is to rest key players ahead of vital tests to come for Australia. As a result the Aussie may well struggle again against this side both in the forwards, an now, in the backs.


Last Five Encounters
13.06.2009 Australia 31-8 in Canberra
08.11.2009 Australia 30-20 in Padova
11.11.2006 Australia 25-18 in Rome
25.06.2005 Australia 69-20 in Melbourne


GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Australia 8th, Italy 10th


Prediction: Australia by 14 points

Teams

Australia
15 James O'Connor (WA Western Force) Age 19, 2 tests
14 Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs) 22, 3
13 Ryan Cross (WA Western Force) 29, 11
12 Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds) 21, 4
11 Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds) 26, 13
10 Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds) 23, 14
9 Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs) 25, 12
8 George Smith, Capt. (ACT Brumbies) 28, 96
7 David Pocock (WA Western Force) 21, 3
6 Peter Kimlin (ACT Brumbies) 23, 1
5 Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs) 25, 11
4 James Horwill (Queensland Reds) 24, 10
3 Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies) 24, 5
2 Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs) 24, 11
1 Pekahou Cowan (WA Western Force) 23, new cap
Replacements
16 Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies) 26, 34
17 Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs) 24, 19
18 Nathan Sharpe (WA Western Force) 31, 74
19 Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs) 29, 74
20 Josh Valentine (WA Western Force) 26, 4
21 Matt Giteau (WA Western Force) 26, 65
22 Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies) 25, 23
Head Coach: Robbie Deans James O'Connor

Italy
15 Luke McLean (Calvisano) Age 21, 9 tests
14 Giulio Rubini (Overmach Parma) 21, 3
13 Gonzalo Canale (Clermont-Auvergne, France) 26, 47
12 Gonzalo Garcia (Calvisano) 24, 9
11 Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso) 21, 3
10 Craig Gower (Bayonne, France) 31, 1
9 Tito Tebaldi (Parma) ?, 1
8 Sergio Parisse, Capt. (Stade Francais, France) 25, 63
7 Simone Favaro (Rovigo) ?, New Cap
6 Jean Francois Montauriol (Venise) 24, 1
5 Marco Bortolami (Gloucester, England) 28, 75
4 Tommaso Reato (Rovigo) 23, 9
3 Fabio Staibano (Castres, France) ?, 1
2 Franco Sbaraglini (Treviso) 26, 2
1 Matias Aguero (Saracens, England) 28, 11
Replacements
16 Leonardo Ghiraldini (Calvisano) 23, 20
17 Salvatore Perugini (Toulouse, France) 30, 61
18 Quintin Geldenhuys Quintin Geldenhuys (Viadana) ?, 1
19 Alessandro Zanni (Calvisano) 24, 32
20 Giulio Toniolatti (Roma) 24, 3
21 Kris Burton (Prato) ?, 1
22 Roberto Quartaroli (Overmach Parma) ?, 1
Head Coach: Nik Mallett