PERTH, Australia (AP) 鈥� Carlo Tizzano will start in his hometown against Italy in place of Fraser McReight on the side of the Australian scrum on Saturday in what will be Joe Schmidt鈥檚 last test as head coach of the Wallabies.
McReight was Australia’s best player last week in the , and his relegation from the starting XV to the bench is likely about player rotation for the third weekend of the
The inclusion of Perth-born Tizzano is one of three changes for Australia’s starting lineup. The others are injury enforced, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa elevated to start at hooker and Harry Potter replacing Dylan Pietsch on the wing.
Paenga-Amosa played most of the test against France last week after Josh Nasser sustained a head injury in the opening minutes. Pietsch injured a calf muscle.
鈥淲e鈥檝e shown some encouraging signs but we need to sustain our accuracy and effort throughout the match,鈥� Schmidt said in a statement Thursday. 鈥淭he challenge for us this week is to perform at a consistently high standard against a dangerous Italian side, who were hugely competitive in the Six Nations, beating both Scotland and England as well as running other teams close.鈥�
Australia conceded 30 consecutive points in the second half in the loss to France after leading 21-12 at halftime. Australia also surrendered a 12-point lead against Ireland before losing
Declan Meredith has been retained as flyhalf after making his international debut against France, and Ben Donaldson was recalled from injury to start on the bench as backline cover at Jock Campbell’s expense.
Schmidt announced last year that he was standing down as Wallabies’ head coach but remained in the role to give his replacement, , time to complete his obligations with the Queensland Reds.
Schmidt will want to ensure Australia ends a six-test losing streak before handing over to Kiss, who will take over for tests against Japan next month.
Italy lost last week and will be without for the headbutt that led to him being red carded in the second half against the All Blacks.
Italy also lost
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Australia: Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter, Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (captain), Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell. Reserves: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Miles Amatosero, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu.
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AP rugby:
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