Wallabies humiliated in Italy as ill-discipline and errors gift advantage to hosts

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The Wallabies last visited Italy three years ago, with the loss in Florence ultimately costing coach Dave Rennie his job. This year, a 26-19 defeat has cost the Wallabies something else, precious momentum for Australian rugby that was so hard won after the disastrous 2023 World Cup.

The historic victory against South Africa in Ellis Park and the resounding win in the third Test against the British and Irish Lions seemed desperately far away in the cold air of Udine in northern Italy.

Error-prone Australia came up short against the Italians in Udine.

The Wallabies arrived into Udine and were shown warm hospitality from a city delighted to host their Australian visitors. That hospitality ended as soon as the Wallabies entered the stadium, however. They faced a relentless and determined Italian team that punished Australian indiscipline ruthlessly. The Wallabies conceded 13 penalties to the Italians’ seven and also lost Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to a yellow card.

There was cruel irony that the two Italian try scorers, Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane, were both Australian-qualified. They were just two parts of an Italian team that showed aggression in defence and adventure in attack. Paolo Garbisi was also lethal with the boot, kicking four penalties and two conversions. It proved easily enough to beat the Wallabies.

The last time the Wallabies lost in Italy, it was considered a shock. To describe this Italian win in the same terms would be disrespectful to a better team on the night.

Carter Gordon last played for the Wallabies as a replacement in the loss against Wales in the 2023 World Cup and returned after an injury-interrupted season in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans. Gordon had recovered from a quad injury and was brought into a Wallabies team that desperately needed to unlock their attack.

Gordon showed flashes of his skill as a running playmaker, but there were also signs of rust kicking from hand, which had to be expected given his lengthy period outside of rugby.

In Udine, he endured a difficult start, getting caught in a tackle and with the ball bobbling on the floor, almost leading to an intercept try. Ultimately, Italy made do with kicking two penalties within 10 minutes through Garbisi, punishing Australian indiscipline that continued throughout the first-half.

The saving grace for the Wallabies was their pack, notably returning breakaway Tom Hooper who brought aggression in his carries, aligned with the fetching ability of Fraser McReight, whose two steals at the ruck largely kept Australia in the game.

Last Saturday in England, the Wallabies had conceded a 25-metre rolling maul. In Italy, Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler, on his first appearance since the British and Irish Lions first Test, muscled over for a desperately needed try.

Taniela Tupou of Australia gets past Andrea Zambonin

A sniping run from Jake Gordon opened the Italian defence, providing the perfect platform for Angus Bell to rumble over from close range. A penalty for Tupou taking an Italian player off the ball was kicked over by Garbisi, cutting the Wallabies’ lead to three points, where the score stayed at half-time.

Udine is a city that typically rocks to the rhythm of its football team Udinese, and the rugby served up by both Italy and the Wallabies was not likely to win over many new fans.

Garbisi converted his third penalty after captain Harry Wilson jumped across the lineout. Shortly after, Wilson lost possession when the ball was stripped by Zuliani. With the ball loose Carter Gordon picked it up and brilliantly stepped Italy’s Australia-raised Ioane. After a long deliberation with the TMO on whether Wilson had knocked on the ball, referee Andrew Brace gave the try, ruling that it was stripped. Boos rained down from the home crowd; the reaction from Italian coach Gonzalo Quesada was almost as furious.

Ultimately, the decision spurred Italy on. The Wallabies had been warned about their frequent indiscipline by referee Andrew Brace and Suaalii was yellow-carded for a high tackle, with Italian winger Lynagh scoring in the corner, Garbisi calmly converting.

A man down, the Wallabies were completely stretched in defence, and Ioane cruised over for his side’s second try, to give a nine point lead with 17 minutes to go. The Wallabies had a golden opportunity to cut the deficit, but were held up on the Italian line by a home side that grew in confidence with each passing minute.

Italy should have killed the game with a try on the 72nd minute after Filipo Daugunu’s pass was intercepted before Federico Ruzza knocked the ball on. It didn’t matter. Italy were not in danger of losing the game and the stadium saluted the new heroes of Udine on the final whistle.

The Wallabies stood on the field stunned in defeat, wondering how the team that had won in Johannesburg had fallen so hard and so far. Stern challenges await in Ireland and France in the next two weeks.

The quest for a top six ranking ahead of the World Cup draw needs to be parked; the Wallabies simply need to find confidence that has seemingly deserted them when they need it most.