Test Rugby: Australia v Italy

08.11.2008
Australia v Italy in Padova

Previews
Italy has before it the best opportunity to win a rugby test against Australia. Although still searching for the fly-half to ignite the backline, Italy has a very powerful pack that should dominate the Australians tomorrow. If they can use the ball won they could stretch a young Australian side.

Australia dominated the All Blacks in the first half in Hong Kong last weekend. There is simply not the depth in this Wallaby side on the bench to sustain a full 80 minute game and against a strong pack they will, like they did last weekend, tire. This could well be one of the closest matches of the weekend.

Last Five Encounters
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
25.06.1994 Australia 20-7 in Melbourne

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Australia 3rd, Italy 7th

Prediction: A close one-Australia by 5 points.

Teams

Australia
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies) Age 24, 19 tests
14 Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs) 21, 2
13 Stirling Mortlock, Capt. (ACT Brumbies) 31, 72
12 Timana Tahu (NSW Waratahs) 28, 3
11 Digby Ioane (WA Western Force) 23, 1
10 Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds) 22, 12
9 Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs) 24, 7
8 Richard Brown (WA Western Force) 23, 2
7 Philip Waugh (NSW Waratahs) 28, 72
6 Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs) 24, 6
5 Hugh McMeniman (Queensland Reds) 24, 17
4 Mark Chisholm (ACT Brumbies) 26, 36
3 Matthew Dunning (NSW Waratahs) 29, 41
2 Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds) 25, 29
1 Benjamin Alexander (ACT Brumbies) 23, 2
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs) 23, 8
17 Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs) 22, New Cap
18 Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratah) 25, 24
19 David Pocock (WA Western Force) 20, 1
20 Matthew Giteau (WA Western Force) 25, 61
21 Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds) 20, New Cap
22 James O’Connor (WA Western Force) 18, New Cap
Head Coach: Robbie Deans

Ioane played his only test for Australia v Wales, June 2007
18 year old O’Connor will become Australia’s second youngest Wallaby if he takes the field.

Italy
15 Andrea Masi (Biarritz Olympique, France) Age 27, 42 Caps
14 Kaine Robertson (Montepaschi Viadana) 28, 32
13 Gonzalo Canale (Clermont Auvergne, France) 26, 41
12 Gonzalo Garcia (Cammi Calvisano) 24, 2
11 Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Français, France) 25, 53
10 Andrea Marcato (Benetton Treviso) 25, 8
9 Pablo Canavosio (Montepaschi Viadana) 26, 20
8 Sergio Parisse, Capt. (Stade Français, France) 25, 54
7 Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Français, France) 29, 63
6 Joshua Sole (Montepaschi Viadana) 28, 30
5 Marco Bortolami (Gloucester RFC, England) 28, 67
4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Ulster, Ireland) 27, 30
3 Carlos Nieto (Gloucester RFC, England) 32, 26
2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (Cammi Calvisano) 23, 13
1 Salvatore Perugini (Stade Toulousain, France) 30, 52
Replacements
16 Fabio Ongaro (Saracens, England) 31, 55
17 Matias Aguero (Saracens, England) 28, 8
18 Tommaso Reato (Femi CZ Rovigo) 23, 3
19 Alessandro Zanni (Cammi Calvisano) 24, 24
20 Giulio Toniolatti (AlmavivA UR Capitolina) 24, New Cap
21 Luciano Orquera (Brive, France) , 10
22 Matteo Pratichetti (Cammi Calvisano) 23, 10
Head Coach: Nick Mallett
Orquera last played for Italy v Tonga, November 2005.

For complete lists of all rugby tests played by Australia and by Italy, go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/