LIVE: Wallabies farewell coach Schmidt with Italy Test in Perth

Sat, Jul 18, 2026, 8:24 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
Highlights from our Nations Championship Round 2 clash with France at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.

The Wallabies will be out to finish their time with coach Joe Schmidt on a high as they face Italy in Perth.

The Kiwi-born coach will depart following the game, having taken over in late 2023 and will be replaced by Les Kiss.

Watch every second of the 2026 Nations Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Miles Amatosero is set for his debut off the bench, whilst Fraser McReight, Harry Potter and Brandon Paenga-Amosa all start for the first time in 2026.

Meanwhile, Italy are coming off back-to-back losses to start their Nations Championship campaign.

This includes defeats to New Zealand and Japan, although are hunting for three straight wins over the Wallabies.

FOLLOW ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR THE MATCH CENTRE

PRE GAME

WELCOME

Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Wallabies' Test against Italy at HBF Park.

A bumper crowd is expected, close to a sell-out, as the Aussies look to farewell coach Joe Schmidt on a high.

Weather (without jinxing it) looks to be good for kick off despite reports throughout the week of rain, with a shower or two potentially hitting before the match.

The Super Rugby Women's semi-final is in the books, with the NSW Waratahs getting the win over the Western Force.

WALLABIES v ITALY TEAMS

WALLABIES (15-1):  Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Harry Potter; Declan Meredith, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (capt), Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini; Jeremy Williams, Josh Canham; Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell

Replacements: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Miles Amatosero, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu

ITALY (15-1): Lorenzo Pani; Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Paolo Odogwu, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Garbisi; Ross Vintcent, Michele Lamaro (capt), Riccardo Favretto; Federico Ruzza, Giulio Marini; Marco Riccioni, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Muhamed Hasa

Replacements: Pablo Dimcheff, Danilo Fischetti, Ion Neculai, Andrea Zambonin, Alessandro Ortombina, Alessandro Fusco, Giacomo Da Re, Leonardo Marin

Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)

Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) and Morné Ferreira (South Africa)

TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

HOW TO WATCH WALLABIES v ITALY TONIGHT

The Wallabies' clash with Italy will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network.

Coverage will be live on Stan Sport, scheduled to start at 5:00 pm AWST/7:00 pm AEST, with kickoff closer to 6:10 pm/8:10 pm

The game will also be shown on free-to-air television via Channel 9, with coverage to start at the same time.

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