Test Match: Italians in Australia

13.06.2009
Italy v Australia in Canberra

Previews
This will only be the third test match played in Canberra. The weather is promising to be freezing for Australia's first test match of the season.

The way Australia tore into the Barbarians last weekend has made the rugby world sit up and take notice of this Australian side. This is a slick combination with Matt Giteau now making fly half his masterly position.

Italy arrived in Australia minus a few of their top players out with injury or unavailable. This team is short on success and confidence. Facing up to this Australian side will be a major challenge for the Azzuri.

Last Five Encounters
08.11.2008 Australia 30-20 in Padova
11.11.2006 Australia 25-18 in Rome
25.06.2005 Australia 69-21 in Melbourne
23.11.2002 Australia 34-3 in Genoa
23.10.1996 Australia 40-18 in Padova

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Australia 7th, Italy 10th

Prediction: Australia by 50 points

Teams

Australia
15 James O'Connor (WA Western Force)
14 Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs)
13 Stirling Mortlock, Capt. (ACT Brumbies)
12 Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds)
11 Drew Mitchell (WA Western Force)
10 Matt Giteau (WA Western Force)
9 Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
8 Richard Brown (WA Western Force)
7 George Smith (ACT Brumbies)
6 Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
5 Nathan Sharpe (WA Western Force)
4 James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
3 Alistair Baxter (NSW Waratahs)
2 Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies)
1 Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17 Benjamin Alexander (ACT Brumbies)
18 Peter Kimlim (ACT Brumbies) New Cap
19 David Pocock (WA Western Force)
20 Joshua Valentine (WA Western Force)
21 Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
22 Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies)
Head Coach; Robbie Deans

Italy
15- Luke McLean (Calvisano) 21, 8
14- Kaine Robertson (Viadana) 28, 37
13- Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais, France) age 25, 61 tests
12- Matteo Pratichetti (Calvisano) 23, 17
11- Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso) 21, 2
10- Craig Gower (Bayonne, France) 31, New Cap
9- Pablo Canavosio (Viadana) 26, 25
8- Sergio Parisse, Capt. (Stade Francais, France) 25, 62
7- Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Francais, France) 29, 71
6- Alessandro Zanni (Calvisano) 24, 31
5-Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Ulster, Ireland) 27, 36
4- Quintin Geldenhuys (Viadana) , New Cap
3- Fabio Staibano (Castres, France)
2- Leonardo Ghiraldini (Calvisano) 23, 19
1- Salvatore Perugini (Toulouse, France) 30, 60
Replacements
16- Franco Sbaraglini (Treviso) 26, 1
17- Ignacio Rouyet (Viadana) 30, 2
18- Marco Bortolami (Gloucester, England) 28, 74
19- Paul Derbyshire (Padova) , New Cap
20- Tito Tebaldi (Parma) , New Cap
21- Kristopher Burton (Prato) , New Cap
22- Gonzalo Garcia (Calvisano) 24, 8
Head Coach: Nick Mallett