The Prague Post - Australia connection gives Italy stunning win over Wallabies

The Azzurri were trailing by seven points when Lynagh crossed for a converted try in the 58th minute to level the scores with Australia, who also lost to England last weekend, a man down after a rash tackle by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Wing Lynagh, the son of World Cup-winner Michael Lynagh, was born in Treviso where his father played. His mother is Italian. He represented England at youth level after moving there with his family as a boy.

His try was key to Italy claiming a second win over Australia three years after their historic first success in Florence in 2022. Ioane touched down for the winning score three minutes later.

It was a fully deserved win for Gonzalo Quesada's team who defended brilliantly and capitalised on Suaalii's yellow card after going behind early in the second half to Carter Gordon's controversial try in his first match for Australia since the last Rugby World Cup.

"It's incredible, just by playing these matches you understand the adrenaline of winning in front of our fans. Winning a match like this against teams like this is amazing," said lock forward Niccolo Cannone.

"Gonzalo told us that we needed to go out there and relive what we had three years ago, to dream. We had a good first half but we could feel the soul of this team."

Italy took a an early six-point lead with to two penalties from the flawless boot of Paolo Garbisi.

Australia responded after 20 minutes when Matt Faessler went over the line from a maul. Andrew Kellaway missed the conversion.

And 11 minutes later another powerful push by the Wallabies forwards ended with Angus Bell extending the ball over the try line. Kellaway converted.

Garbisi kicked the gap to three points and then levelled the scores with his boot shortly after half-time thanks to impressive defensive pressure which consistently forced mistakes from Australia.

Italy were dealt a blow three minutes later when Gordon marked his return to the Australian national team with a controversial try which enraged the Azzurri.

Quesada fumed in the stands when TMO ruled that Harry Wilson had not knocked on the ball under a challenge by Manuel Zuliani, but Italy's players kept their heads and fought back for another landmark win.

"Every win is great, but today the team was really good," said Quesada. "They were all really good."

"It's impossible to play the perfect match but so we of course had some problems with timing and in attack but they capitalised on the few quality positions that we had to put them under pressure, create chances and make sure we stayed in the game.

"I'm really proud of the team and how they handled the game."

Italy face world champions South Africa in Turin next weekend, while Australia have the daunting task of taking on Ireland in Dublin following a dismal defeat.

F.Vit--TPP