Rampant Wallabies run riot against a hapless Azzuri-BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
A rampant Wallabies ran riot against Italy’s Azzuri in a clinical thrashing that left the visitors beaten and disoriented at HBF Park in Perth.
A sellout crowd of over 20,000 saw the home team lift to bid farewell to Joe Schmidt who has steered the once feared team close to where they belong.
Centre Len Ikitau said after the game that the team were fired up and focused to give Schmidt well deserved send off. And they did it to perfection.
Schmidt was estatic after the game saying, ” I’m delighted with the effort from the players. I thought there was real steel about us today.”
Yes, the Azzuri were not at full strength after nearly half the side was left out of the team that were thrashed 47-17 by the All Blacks in their last outing.
Adding to their woes was the absence of coach Gonzalo Quesada who was banned from the stadium for two games for his comments about referee Luc Ramos after the last match.
Things didn’t get better when substitute Marco Riccipni came off the bench and punched a Wallabies player in a melee on the boundary line and he was red carded and ordered off as well. But the damage was well and truly done on the scoreboard by then.
Finding terrific fluency between forwards and backs, the Wallabies dominated all facets of the game as a valiant Italy fought a futile battle to stem the tide.
Beaten soundly by France 42-27 last week, it was a refreshing new look Wallabies who bounced back and played with plenty of purpose to right the wrongs of the previous outing.
The 57-10 win eclipsed the 52-20 win over Wales in Cardiff in 2024 during Schmidt’s early assignment as coach.
The Wallabies try avalanche saw them cross the line ten times to the Italians two.
As a collective, the Wallabies were awesome as a unit with the forwards dominant in the battle for possession. The Azzuri were found wanting in defence as the Wallabies continuoisly punched gaping holes with a more elusive and desperate effort.
The backs were as potent with new halves combination Ryan Lonergan and Rylie Meredith creating plenty of opportunity to the incisive backline as Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Joseph-Akuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and fullback Tom Wright were always threatening in possession. They gave the Italians plenty of headaches trying to contain them.
Missed opportunities over the try line could have made it more embarrassing for the Azzuri but the Wallabies had to be content with a smashing win.
The Italians responded with a try in each half but had little possession to showcase their potential that made them a dangerous opposition in the six nations.
Lock Josh Canhan had an outstanding game running in a hat-trick of tries to be named Player-of-the-match.
The win must surely have instilled new confidence among the Wallabies going forward as they confront Japan under new coach Kiss.
There’s an air of optimism that Schmidt has left Australian rugby in good hands and in the right direction before the World Cup in 2027 in Australia.
The challenges ahead will indicate if they have found that winning culture.
