UDINE, Italy (AP) — Italy had never beaten Australia in rugby until 2022. The Azzurri have now made it two wins in a row.
And it was two players with Australian ties that helped the Azzurri to a memorable 26-19 victory on Saturday, with Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane scoring Italy’s tries.
Lynagh — who was born in Italy — is the son of Wallabies great Michael Lynagh, while Melbourne-born Ioane is the nephew of former Wallabies winger Digby Ioane.
Their tries came after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii had been yellow carded for the visitors.
Italy had lost 20 matches against Australia before claiming a first victory the last time the two sides met, three years ago.
Australia began its overseas tour with a gritty 19-15 win over Japan, before a 25-7 loss to England at Twickenham last weekend.
The Azzurri got the scoreboard rolling in the sixth minute with a Paolo Garbisi penalty after an Australia infringement.
Garbisi extended the advantage four minutes later with another successful kick after Italy was awarded a scrum penalty.
The Wallabies improved after their sluggish start and finally were rewarded in the 21st minute as a driving maul rumbled towards the line and Matt Faessler crashed over for the try.
However, Andrew Kellaway failed to convert, sending his attempt woefully wide of the right post.
Australia did go in front in the 31st after a period of pressure, with Angus Bell forcing his way over just to the left of the posts. This time Kellaway added the extras.
Garbisi made sure Italy stayed in touch on the scoreboard with another kick just before halftime after the Wallabies were penalized inside their half, closing the gap to three.
And Garbisi kicked Italy level just after the break after the Azzurri earned another penalty.
Then Carter Gordon marked his first Wallabies appearance for two years with a try, picking up the loose ball after Harry Wilson lost it in a tackle and evading a challenge before running forward to tap down.
The TMO had a look at it but judged that there was no handling error. Kellaway converted.
However, the match turned in the 58th minute.
Lynagh turned over in the right corner for a well-worked try by the Azzurri after sustained pressure. And worse was to come for Australia as Suaalii was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Garbisi in the buildup.
Garbisi showed no ill effects from that as he added the extras.
Italy made the extra man count, working their way into the corner before spreading the ball for Australia-born winger Monty Ioane to dunk onto the line.
Garbisi again converted.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
The Associated Press
