Australia vs Italy Preview & Prediction | 2026 Nations Championship | Round 3
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Two teams desperate for their first Nations Championship victory take to Perth Rectangular Stadium as Australia host Italy in the third round of matches.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – RugbyPass TV
Australia team news: Three changes
Squad: 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 (captain), 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Miles Amatosero, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Italy team news: Mass alterations as Cannone suspended
Squad: 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 (captain), 6 Riccardo Favretto, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Giulio Marini, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Muhamed Hasa
Replacements: 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
Australia vs Italy prediction
Joe Schmidt's ill-fated stint in charge of Australia comes to an end in Perth with the Wallabies having began their Nations Championship campaign with successive defeats.
Indeed, Australia are now on a six-match losing run, and there was particular disappointment surrounding their 42-26 defeat to France last weekend given that they were leading 21-12 at half-time.
It has not been much better for Italy though, who are the only the northern hemisphere team without a point to their name heading into the third round of action.
The Azzurri most recently lost 47-17 to New Zealand, although there were at least one or two encouraging signs in that defeat in Auckland.
Australia have struggled to maintain their level in the second half of matches so far, and Italy will be well aware of that. While the hosts are favoured with the bookies, we don't expect this to be a one-sided victory in Schmidt's final game in charge of the Wallabies, especially considering the current losing streak they are on.
Australia vs Italy tip: Italy +15.5
