Live: Wallabies desperate to send Schmidt out a winner against Italy

Coach Joe Schmidt takes charge of the Wallabies for the last time, with Italy standing in the way of a victorious farewell in Perth.

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Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 5:36pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 5:36pm

Wallabies vs Italy: live score

By Luke Pentony

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Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:19pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:19pm

8' Wright scores for Wallabies!

By Luke Pentony

Tom Wright scores for the Wallabies!

Another penalty allowed the Wallabies to set up inside Italy's half.

Some brilliant work with ball in hand saw space open up for Wright, who found a gap in the Italian defensive line to score close to the right corner.

Ryan Lonergan converted, and it's the Wallabies 12-0 up.

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:19pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:19pm

7' Meredith looking comfortable

By Luke Pentony

It was a tough introduction to Test rugby last week for Declan Meredith when he faced France in his debut.

But the Brumbies star is looking more comfortable in the early stages against Italy.

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:17pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:17pm

6' Light rain falling

By Luke Pentony

There's some rain in Perth, but it can't be described as heavy.

It may make ball handling an issue, however.

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:14pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:14pm

4' Wallabies score!

By Luke Pentony

Josh Canham goes over!

From the earlier line-out, which the Wallabies won, the home side put 17 phases together before Canham dots down on the left edge.

The use of a driving maul and several pick-and-go plays put the Wallabies on the front foot.

The conversion attempt is missed, so it's the Wallabies leading 5-0.

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:13pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:13pm

2' Wallabies with early field position

By Luke Pentony

Italy gives away a penalty inside the Wallabies' half for not rolling away at the ruck.

The Wallabies kick for touch and earn a line-out well inside Italian territory.

What can they do from here?

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:11pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:11pm

Here we go!

By Luke Pentony

There's the kick-off from the Wallabies and we are away!

Can the Wallabies send Joe Schmidt out on a winning note?

Or will Italy break through for its first victory over the Wallabies in Australia?

Let's find out!

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:07pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:07pm

Both teams on the field

By Luke Pentony

Not long to go!

The Wallabies and Italy have taken to the field ahead of the respective national anthems.

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:01pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:01pm

Who's in charge?

By Luke Pentony

The match officials for this evening's Test are as follows:

Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)

Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) and Morné Ferreira (South Africa)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:55pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:55pm

When they last met

By Luke Pentony

Italy saluted when the teams last met in Udine.

The Azzurri triumphed 26-19 in November.

They have won the past two Tests against the Wallabies, who hold an 20-2 win-loss record.

The Wallabies are undefeated against Italy on home soil.

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:49pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:49pm

Wallabies fans out in force

By Luke Pentony

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:44pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:44pm

Nations Championship standings

By Luke Pentony

Here's how the Nations Championship standings looked after the All Blacks' 40-21 victory over Ireland at Eden Park earlier this evening.

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:43pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:43pm

Nations Championship schedule

By Luke Pentony

It's a busy weekend of action in the Nations Championship.

Saturday

New Zealand def Ireland 40-21 in Auckland

Japan vs France in Tokyo

Australia vs Italy in Perth

Fiji vs Scotland in Edinburgh

Sunday

South Africa vs Wales in Durban

Argentina vs England in Santiago del Estero

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:36pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:36pm

And who's playing for Italy?

By Luke Pentony

Italy has made a staggering nine changes to its starting XV following last weekend's 47-17 loss to the All Blacks in Wellington.

Among the squad changes, Australia-born winger Monty Ioane earns a recall in place of Malik Faissal on the wing.

On the opposite edge, Louis Lynagh — son of Wallabies great Michael and brother to Tom — keeps his spot.

Meanwhile, Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada is a no-show as he serves a two-Test ban.

Quesada was suspended for comments he made about the refereeing in the Test against the All Blacks, as well as World Rugby's scheduling.

Richard Hodges is in charge due to Quesada's absence.

Like the Wallabies, Italy is yet to get off the mark in the Nations Championship.

Italy's matchday squad is as follows:

15. Lorenzo Pani

14. Louis Lynagh

13. Juan Ignacio Brex

12. Paolo Odogwu

11. Monty Ioane

10. Paolo Garbisi

9. Alessandro Garbisi

8. Ross Vintcent

7. Michele Lamaro (C)

6. Riccardo Favretto

5. Federico Ruzza

4. Giulio Marini

3. Marco Riccioni

2. Gianmarco Lucchesi

1. Muhamed Hasa

Reserves:

16. Pablo Dimcheff

17. Danilo Fischetti

18. Ion Neculai

19. Andrea Zambonin

20. Alessandro Ortombina

21. Alessandro Fusco

22. Giacomo Da Re

23. Leonardo Marin

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:31pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:31pm

Who's playing for the Wallabies?

By Luke Pentony

Speaking of Joe Schmidt, he has made changes to his matchday squad for the Italy Test following last Saturday's 42-26 loss to France in Brisbane.

Most notable among the tweaks is Carlo Tizzano starting at openside flanker, with Fraser McReight relegated to the reserves bench.

Declan Meredith has been retained at fly half, while lock Miles Amatosero is a chance to make his Test debut as a reserve.

The Wallabies' matchday squad is as follows:

15. Tom Wright

14. Max Jorgensen

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

12. Len Ikitau

11. Harry Potter

10. Declan Meredith

9. Ryan Lonergan

8. Harry Wilson (C)

7. Carlo Tizzano

6. Rob Valetini

5. Jeremy Williams

4. Josh Canham

3. Allan Alaalatoa

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa

1. Angus Bell

Reserves:

16. Billy Pollard

17. James Slipper

18. Zane Nonggorr

19. Miles Amatosero

20. Fraser McReight

21. Tate McDermott

22. Ben Donaldson

23. Filipo Daugunu

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:25pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:25pm

Schmidt's farewell

By Luke Pentony

In case you've been living under a rock, this evening's Test is Joe Schmidt's final match in charge of the Wallabies.

The drawn-out transitional phase will finally end, with Les Kiss soon to take the reins.

How will Schmidt be remembered as Wallabies boss?

It'll be a complicated legacy as his win-loss record as coach can't be ignored.

Ahead of the Italy Test, Schmidt has won only 11 of 30 Tests with the Wallabies.

Defeat against Italy would mean he finishes with the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era.

It must be acknowledged Schmidt had to pick up the pieces after the Wallabies' disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, when they failed to advance from the pool stage under then-coach Eddie Jones.

He took over a squad experiencing a crisis of confidence.

There have been famous wins during Schmidt's tenure, such as the 38-22 triumph over the Springboks at Ellis Park last August, and the 42-37 upset of England at Twickenham in 2024.

But consistency has been lacking, with the Wallabies losing nine of their past 10 Tests.

A win over Italy will at least give Schmidt a positive note to end his time as Wallabies coach.

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm

Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 6:00pm

Welcome!

By Luke Pentony

Hello there!

Welcome to ABC Sport's digital coverage of the Wallabies vs Italy Nations Championship Test in Perth.

I'm Luke Pentony and it's my pleasure to be joining you for what promises to be an intriguing encounter in the west.

We're still an hour from kick-off but make sure to stick with us this evening!