Live: Wallabies make blistering start in Schmidt's Test send-off

Coach Joe Schmidt takes charge of the Wallabies for the last time, with Italy standing in the way of a victorious farewell in Perth. Follow our live blog.Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 5:36pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 5:36pmWallabies vs Italy: live scoreSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:37pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:37pm24' Wallabies score through Jorgensen!Max Jorgensen crosses the chalk for the Wallabies!Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:32pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:32pm20' Italy on the board!Italy captain Michele Lamaro scores in the left corner!Lamaro crosses out wide, but the TMO was called upon as Harry Potter and Tom Wright appeared to have held up the Italian skipper with their cover defence.The try was correctly awarded but the conversion attempt was missed.It's the Wallabies leading 19-5.Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:29pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:29pm16' Wallabies dominating possessionWe highlighted Italy can't waste the chances it has with ball in hand, as it has rarely seen the pill in the first half.The Wallabies are enjoying a staggering 90 per cent of possession so far.Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:26pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:26pm14' Italy given a sniffItaly gets its first penalty of the match, inside the Wallabies' half.Not surprisingly, the visitors kick for touch for a line-out throw.But they waste the opportunity, with the Wallabies regaining possession.Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:23pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:23pm12' Another Wallabies try!Brandon Paenga-Amosa scores!What a start from the Wallabies, their third try of the match already!Paenga-Amosa ices another patient attacking movement from the Wallabies, who are converting on their entries inside Italy's half.Ryan Lonergan adds the extras, giving the Wallabies a 19-0 lead.Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:19pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:19pm9' Wright scores for Wallabies!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 8:19pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:19pm7' Meredith looking comfortableIt 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 8:17pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:17pm6' Light rain fallingThere'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 8:14pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:14pm4' Wallabies score!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 8:13pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:13pm2' Wallabies with early field positionItaly 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 8:11pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:11pmHere we go!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 8:07pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:07pmBoth teams on the fieldNot long to go!The Wallabies and Italy have taken to the field ahead of the respective national anthems.Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:01pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 8:01pmWho's in charge?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 7:55pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:55pmWhen they last met(Getty)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 7:49pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:49pmWallabies fans out in forceSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:44pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:44pmNations Championship standings Here's how the Nations Championship standings looked after the All Blacks' 40-21 victory over Ireland at Eden Park earlier this evening.(Nations Championship)Sat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:43pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:43pmNations Championship scheduleIt's a busy weekend of action in the Nations Championship.SaturdayNew Zealand def Ireland 40-21 in AucklandJapan vs France in TokyoAustralia vs Italy in PerthFiji vs Scotland in EdinburghSundaySouth Africa vs Wales in DurbanArgentina vs England in Santiago del EsteroSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:36pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:36pmAnd who's playing for Italy?(Getty)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 Pani14. Louis Lynagh13. Juan Ignacio Brex12. Paolo Odogwu11. Monty Ioane10. Paolo Garbisi9. Alessandro Garbisi8. Ross Vintcent7. Michele Lamaro (C)6. Riccardo Favretto5. Federico Ruzza4. Giulio Marini3. Marco Riccioni2. Gianmarco Lucchesi1. Muhamed HasaReserves:16. Pablo Dimcheff17. Danilo Fischetti18. Ion Neculai19. Andrea Zambonin20. Alessandro Ortombina21. Alessandro Fusco22. Giacomo Da Re23. Leonardo MarinSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:31pmSat 18 Jul 2026 at 7:31pmWho's playing for the Wallabies?(Getty)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 Wright14. Max Jorgensen13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii12. Len Ikitau11. Harry Potter10. Declan Meredith9. Ryan Lonergan8. Harry Wilson (C)7. Carlo Tizzano6. Rob Valetini5. Jeremy Williams4. Josh Canham3. Allan Alaalatoa2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa1. Angus BellReserves:16. Billy Pollard17. James Slipper18. Zane Nonggorr19. Miles Amatosero20. Fraser McReight21. Tate McDermott22. Ben Donaldson23. Filipo Daugunu