The Wallabies sent coach Joe Schmidt off with a big win over Italy in Perth on Saturday.
After two defeats to start the Nations Championship and six consecutive losses, Australia ran riot against Italy, scoring nine tries in a 57-10 win as Les Kiss prepares to take the Wallabies’ reins.
It was an underwhelming term in charge for Schmidt, where he won 12 of his 31 Tests in charge since assuming control from Eddie Jones following a disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign.
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The victory did ensure the New Zealander avoided the ignominy of finishing with the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era.
It gave Australia their first win of the Nations Championship and ended a prolonged form slump, where they had lost nine of their past 10 Tests.
A rampaging Australian forward pack outmuscled Italy, scoring six tries in a one-sided first-half to lead 38-5 at the interval.
The injury-ravaged Italians succumbed to their third straight defeat in the competition, having previously been beaten by Japan and New Zealand.
Their task was made harder without head coach Gonzalo Quesada, who was suspended for the match for criticising the referee and Nations Championship scheduling following the heavy loss to the All Blacks.
Italy had entered the match with confidence having beaten the Wallabies in consecutive matches, including a 26-19 triumph in Udine late last year.
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They were immediately on the defensive with a pumped-up Wallabies opening the scoring in the fifth minute when Man of the Match Josh Canham barrelled over the line for the first of three tries for the lock.
The Wallabies’ knack of starting matches quickly was again on show as Tom Wright weaved through a tentative Italian defensive line to dot down.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa got on the end of a patient move as the Wallabies stormed to a 19-0 lead.
A rare foray into attack proved fruitful for Italy in the 20th minute when captain Michele Lamaro scored in the left corner.
The Wallabies regained control with Canham scoring twice before Angus Bell and Len Ikitau put the finishing touches on a dominant opening half.
The Wallabies came out of the blocks sluggishly with Monty Ioane dashing over the line to restore hope for Italy.
Canham stormed over the line in the 52nd minute to complete his hat-trick and Italy’s wretched night continued when substitute Marco Riccioni was red carded for getting involved from the bench in a melee that spilled over the touchline.
AUSTRALIA – Tries: Josh Canham (3), Tom Wright, Brandon Paenga-Amosa (2), Len Ikitau, Billy Pollard, Ben Donaldson. Conversions: Ryan Lonergan (5), Donaldson.
ITALY – Tries: Michele Lamaro, Monty Ioane.
– AFP
Photo: Graham Denholm/Getty Images
