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4 Dec 2025 17:29
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  •   Home > News > Sports > Rugby

    Wallabies fall to Italy 26-19 in Udine Test to record consecutive defeats

    The Wallabies slump to consecutive defeats on their spring tour, as Italy comes from behind to win in Udine.


    Italy has upset the Wallabies with a come-from-behind 26-19 victory in Udine.

    Louis Lynagh, whose father Michael is a Wallabies great, and Melbourne-born Monty Ioane proved Italy's heroes as the hosts won for only the second time in 20 Tests against Australia.

    The visitors scored three tries without reply in the opening 51 minutes at Stadio Friuli before a late surge from the Italians turned the Test on its head.

    The 100 per cent goal-kicking return from fly half Paolo Garbisi proved the difference for Italy.

    [Score card]

    The result continued a miserable year for the Wallabies, who were beaten by England at Twickenham last week and have won just five of 13 Tests this year.

    Italy had a 6-0 lead after Garbisi slotted two penalties before Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler finished off a polished driving maul to score a 21st-minute try.

    Angus Bell stretched out to dot down a second try and put Australia in the lead, although the scores were level four minutes into the second half as Garbisi landed his fourth penalty.

    A controversial try for fly half Carter Gordon, returning for his first Test in over two years, put the Wallabies back ahead in the 51st minute.

    Referee Andrew Brace ruled the ball had been stripped out of the hands of Wallabies captain Harry Wilson as he was tackled on a charge towards the goal line.

    It was not a knock-on as Italy claimed, allowing Gordon to pick up the loose ball and jink his way over.

    A furious Italy responded with a double score in the space of five minutes, first through Lynagh in the corner after a line-out maul and Ioane attacking the line.

    Garbisi kicked both conversions.

    Italy might have had another try in the closing stages after Federico Ruzza intercepted the ball, but his offload was spilt with several teammates to choose from and the goal line beckoning.

    The home side held firm, however, with tenacious tackling in to stop a desperate Wallabies outfit from scoring.

    The Wallabies won the first 18 Tests between the countries, but Italy triumphed 28-27 in their last clash in Florence three years ago.

    Reuters

    Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog.

    [blog]

    © 2025 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

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