Italy Rugby Union: Wallabies Dominate 57-10 in Schmidt's Final Test

The Italy rugby union team faced a daunting challenge in Perth, and the Wallabies' 57-10 victory on July 18, 2026, marked a resounding end to the Joe Schmidt era. Josh Canham's hat-trick of tries led Australia to a nine-try rout, snapping a six-match losing streak and giving new coach Les Kiss a promising foundation for the 2027 World Cup.

Lock Josh Canham delivered a hat-trick of tries in front of 19,268 fans at HBF Park, leading a performance that saw Australia race to a 19-0 lead after just 12 minutes. The home side scored six tries in the first half to lead 38-5 at the break, effectively ending the contest before Italy could find any rhythm.

Italy Rugby Union: What Went Wrong for the Azzurri

Italy entered the match ranked world No. 10 and with recent history on their side, having beaten Australia in shock victories in 2022 and 2025. But they were without suspended head coach Gonzalo Quesada, who was banned by World Rugby for labelling French referee Luc Ramos as “super poor” after the Azzurri's 47-17 loss to the All Blacks. The absence of their coach, combined with a depleted squad due to injuries, left Italy unable to mount a serious challenge.

The Azzurri had already lost to Japan and New Zealand in the Nations Championship, and this defeat extended their losing streak in the competition. While Italy's forward pack showed glimpses of competitiveness in the second half, the damage had already been done. The 57-10 scoreline reflects a team that is still searching for consistency at the highest level.

Canham's Coming-Out Party

Canham's three tries were the headline act, but his overall contribution in the lineout and loose play provided the foundation for the Wallabies' dominance. His first try came from a rolling maul that covered 20 metres, with Canham crossing in the corner. The 23-year-old lock's athleticism and finishing ability have been evident in domestic rugby, but this performance on the international stage signals a player ready to become a cornerstone of the forward pack under Kiss.

The Wallabies' attacking structure clicked in a way it rarely had during Schmidt's tenure. Tom Wright scored after splitting the Italian defence and running onto an Allan Alaalatoa offload. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa burrowed over from close range after a stolen lineout and slick handling from the backs. The speed and precision of Australia's attack caught Italy off guard, with the visitors unable to cope with the intensity of the opening quarter.

Schmidt's Bittersweet Farewell

Schmidt finishes his tenure with 12 wins from 31 Tests, a record that falls short of his remarkable success with Ireland. He took charge after the disastrous 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, tasked with rebuilding a team that had lost its identity. While the overall record is underwhelming, there were genuine highlights: the 38-22 defeat of the Springboks at Ellis Park last August and the 42-37 upset of England at Twickenham in 2024 stand out as evidence of what this team can achieve on its day.

The victory ensured Schmidt avoided finishing with the worst winning percentage of any Wallabies coach in the professional era. More importantly, it provided a platform for Kiss, who will take over for the upcoming Test against Japan in Osaka next month.

What This Means for the Wallabies

Australia's first win of the Nations Championship came after narrow losses to Ireland (33-31) and France (42-26). Those defeats exposed second-half frailties, but against Italy, the Wallabies' red-hot start meant those issues were never truly tested. The forward pack outmuscled Italy, scoring six tries in the first half, and the backline showed the attacking flair that had been missing for much of Schmidt's tenure.

Kiss inherits a squad with emerging talent like Canham and hooker Lonergan, who also impressed. The Wallabies will resume their Nations Championship campaign in November with Tests against England at Twickenham, Scotland at Murrayfield, and Wales at the Millennium Stadium. Those matches will provide a sterner test of whether this performance was a one-off or the start of a genuine resurgence.

For now, Australian rugby fans can celebrate a comprehensive victory that ended a prolonged form slump where the team had lost nine of their past 10 Tests. The Schmidt era may have been underwhelming overall, but it ended with a performance that offered hope for the future under Kiss.