Australia U20s have advanced to the fifth place final after taking down Italy 44-21 in Verona.
It was just over 12 months ago that the Italians claimed their first win over Australia in the under-age tournament in South Africa.
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However, it was all Australia as they silenced the home crowd thanks to a dominant first quarter.
Sevens star Aden Ekanayake opened their account in the fourth minute after a great burst from a lineout play.
From the kick-off, fellow Sevens representative Sid Harvey kicked and grubbered ahead, with the bounce sitting up for Shane Wilcox to kick ahead and collect for a dream start to the game.
The hosts rallied and hooker Alessio Caiolo-Serra crashed over via the rolling maul to reduce the margin after several minutes attacking Australia’s line.
But quickly Australia answered through centre Malakye Enasio, who collected the offload from midfield partner Dre Pakeho for the try.
Both teams hunted for points as the respective defences looked hold strong.
In the end, a yellow card to Italian scrum half Matteo Bellotto for too many penalties late in the first half provided the space for back-rower Eli Langi to throw a wonder offload for captain Eamon Doyle to dive over for a 24-7 lead at the break.
The second half started with both sides drawing the ire of the referee with yellow cards as Wilcox was sent off for ten minutes for a high shot despite being bumped off in the tackle.
It allowed the Italians to reduce the margin with the numbers even at 14 each on the field, once again saluting through their rolling maul.
Edoardo Todaro’s try from close reduced the margin and suddenly the Italians trailed by under a converted try.
This is where flyhalf Joey Fowler stood up and controlled the situation.
He nailed his second penalty of the half and took the line on to dive over to restore a 16-point lead.
A third yellow card against the hosts sealed their fate, with Langi crashing over for the game-sealer with 11 minutes to go.
It sets up a rematch with England, who defeated them in the group stages, on Sunday after they took down Wales.
Australia U20 44 (Ekanayake, Wilcox, Enasio, Doyle, Fowler, Langi tries; Fowler 4 cons; Fowler 2 pens) def Italy U20 21 (Caiolo-Serra, Mistrulli, Todaro tries; Braga 3 cons)
