Garbisi brothers to run the show for Italy against Wallabies
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Italy made nine changes to their starting XV for their Nations Championship clash with Australia in Perth at the weekend, where head coach Gonzalo Quesada will be absent after copping a two-Test ban.
It has been a nightmare tour for Italy so far, crashing 10-27 in Tokyo to Japan and 17-47 against the All Blacks at Wellington.
After the New Zealand match, Quesada criticised the referee and World Rugby’s scheduling, which led to his suspension just hours before the team was announced.
They are also without experienced lock Niccolo Cannone who was banned for four games over a headbutt in last week’s defeat.
Adding to their woes, fullback Tommaso Allan (foot) and No.8 Lorenzo Cannone (back) have returned to Italy for further treatment.
But in a boost, Lorenzo Pani has recovered after missing the New Zealand Test to return in the No.15 jersey.
Lyon’s Monty Ioane and Benetton’s Louis Lynagh fill the wings while Juan Ignacio Brex and Paolo Odogwu make their first appearance of the Nations Championship as the centre pairing.
The Garbisi brothers, Paolo and Alessandro, are entrusted with pulling the strings as flyhalf and scrumhalf respectively.
In the back row, captain Michell Lamaro will be joined by Ross Vintcent and Riccardo Favretto.
Giulio Marini is retained after his debut against the All Blacks, joining the experienced Federico Ruzza in the second row.
Marco Riccioni, Gianmarco Lucchesi, and Muhamed Hasa will be in the front row.
Italy have beaten Australia in their past two meetings, most recently at Udine in November when they edged Joe Schmidt’s side 26-19.
Italy: 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.
Date: Saturday, July 18
Venue: HBF Park, Perth
Kick-off: 18.10 (12.10 CEST; 10.10 GMT)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
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