Australia were erratic but managed to get their first win on this years tour when they took on Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Australia captain Stirling Mortlock scored a try and contributed a further 10 points with his boot after a monthlong injury layoff.
Mat Rogers’ and Guy Shepherdson’s tries helped Australia overcome six penalties from Italy flyhalf Ramiro Pez.
“Unfortunately tonight we were a little bit off our game,” Mortlock said. “We only played for about 20 minutes at our top level and still came away with the win so we were a bit fortunate today.”
Teams
Italy: Peens, Robertson, Canale, M. Bergamasco, Canavosio, Pez, Griffen, Lo Cicero, Festuccia, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Bortolami, Zanni, M. Bergamasco, Parisse.
Replacements: Ghiraldini, Nieto, Del Fava, Sole, Picone, Scanavacca, Pozzebon.
Australia: Latham, Rathbone, Mortlock, Larkham, Tuqiri, Rogers, Giteau, Baxter, Cannon, Shepherdson, Chisholm, Sharpe, Elsom, Smith, Palu.
Replacements: Moore, N. Henderson, Campbell, Hoiles, Valentine, Gerrard, Shepherd.
Italy 18 (15)
Pens: Pez (6)
Australia 25 (13)
Tries: Rogers, Shepherdson, Mortlock
Cons: Mortlock (2)
Pens: Mortlock (2)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
