Australia Break Losing Streak with Dominant Win Over Italy
On Saturday, the Wallabies secured a commanding 57‑10 victory against Italy in the Rugby Nations Championship, ending a six‑match losing run that included home defeats to Ireland and France. The result marked Josh Canham’s first international hat‑trick and served as a fitting farewell for outgoing head coach Joe Schmidt, who is retiring after a tenure that saw Australia post a 12‑win, 19‑loss record.
Match Overview
Australia struck early, with lock Josh Canham touching down in the opening minutes. Wing Tom Wright and hooker Brandon Paenga‑Amosa added further tries before the 20‑minute mark, giving the Wallabies a 14‑0 lead. Italy’s captain Michele Lamaro responded with a try in the 27th minute, but Canham completed his hat‑trick shortly after halftime, sealing the outcome.
By the break Australia led 38‑5, a margin that effectively decided the contest. Second‑half tries from Angus Bell, Len Ikitau, Billy Pollard and Ben Donaldson extended the advantage, while fly‑half Ryan Lonergan contributed five conversions and Donaldson added another. The final score of 57‑10 reflected Australia’s superior set‑piece execution and relentless back‑line pressure.
Key Performers
- Josh Canham (Lock) – Hat‑trick (tries in 3rd, 27th and 48th minutes); praised the forward pack for creating space.
- Tom Wright (Wing) – Opening try; consistent threat on the outside.
- Brandon Paenga‑Amosa (Hooker) – Early score; strong work at the breakdown.
- Angus Bell (Prop) – Powerful try just before halftime.
- Len Ikitau (Centre) – Break‑away try after the interval.
- Billy Pollard (Flanker) – Try in the second half; high tackle count.
- Ben Donaldson (Fullback) – Try and a conversion; solid defensive coverage.
- Ryan Lonergan (Fly‑half) – Five conversions; accurate goal‑kicking.
Italy’s only points came from tries by Michele Lamaro and Australian‑born Monty Ioane, with Lamaro also converting his score.
Coach Joe Schmidt’s Farewell
The victory was Schmidt’s final match in charge of the Wallabies. Appointed in 2021, the former Ireland head coach guided Australia through a transitional period, overseeing a 12‑win, 19‑loss record that included a narrow record that included a series loss to the 2023 British & Irish Lions. Schmidt announced his retirement after the match, handing over responsibilities to Les Kiss, who will act as head coach for the next 15 months ahead of Australia’s hosting of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Schmidt reflected on the team’s effort: “The forwards dominated tonight, which allowed our backs to express themselves. It’s been a challenging few weeks, but this performance shows what we can achieve when we stick to the process.”
Italy’s Ongoing Struggles
Italy entered the match having lost all three Nations Championship fixtures this month, including defeats to Japan and New Zealand. Head coach Gonzalo Quesada was absent from the stadium after a sanction for criticising match officials following the 47‑17 loss to the All Blacks; an initial two‑game ban was reduced to a single match on appeal. The Azzurri also saw a rare red card issued to substitute Marco Riccioni, who was dismissed for involvement in a sideline altercation despite not being on the field.
With three losses, Italy remains winless in the competition and will look to rebuild ahead of the upcoming Autumn Internationals.
Looking Ahead
The win provides a much‑needed confidence boost for Australia as they prepare for the remainder of the Nations Championship and the build‑up to the 2027 World Cup. Under Les Kiss’s interim leadership, the squad will aim to build on the defensive solidity and attacking fluidity displayed against Italy, while addressing the consistency issues that plagued the earlier home matches against Ireland and France.
For fans and analysts alike, the performance underscores the potential of a Wallabies side that, when functioning cohesively, can compete with the world’s best.
References
- Reuters. “Australia thrash Italy 57‑10 to end losing streak.” Published 28 September 2025.
- World Rugby. Match statistics: Australia vs Italy, Nations Championship 2025.
- Official Wallabies media release, 28 September 2025 – Coach Joe Schmidt’s retirement announcement.
