Italy represents a dangerous challenge for the Wallabies as they look to end Joe Schmidt's tenure as coach on a high.
The Italians have had the wood over the Aussies in previous years, including last year's victory on the Spring Tour.
Watch every second of the 2026 Nations Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.
It leaves Gli Azzurri as a team to watch ahead of Saturday's clash at HBF Park in Perth.
Rugby.com.au gives you the breakdown of everything you need to know about Italy.
Italy have had a rollercoaster 2026 after finishing 2025 with wins over the Wallabies and Chile.
Shock victories over England and Scotland were met by defeats to Ireland, France and Wales.
They then started the Nations Championship with a surprise loss to Japan, followed by a 30-point defeat to New Zealand.
Backs: Tommaso Allan, Giulio Bertaccini, Juan Ignacio Brex, Giacomo Da Re, Malik Faissal, Alessandro Fusco, Alessandro Garbisi, Paolo Garbisi, Monty Ioane, Louis Lynagh, Leonardo Marin, Tommaso Menoncello, Paolo Odogwu, Lorenzo Pani, Stephen Varney
Forwards: Lorenzo Cannone, Niccolò Cannone, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Pablo Dimcheff, Riccardo Favretto, Danilo Fischetti, Muhamed Hasa, Michele Lamaro, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Giulio Marini, Ion Neculai, David Odiase, Alessandro Ortombina, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Mirco Spagnolo, Ross Vintcent, Andrea Zambonin
There are a host of stars within the Italian side that are set to miss the clash with Australia.
Superstar duo Ange Capuozzo and Giacomo Nicotera have not made the trip down after long seasons with their respective club sides in France.
They are joined on the sidelines by the likes of star prop Simone Ferrari and Sebastian Negri, while lock Niccolo Cannone has been suspended for four games for his headbutt last week.
Outside-back duo Tommaso Allan and Malik Faissal are in doubt due to injuries sustained during last week’s loss to New Zealand.
If you don’t know the name Tommaso Menoncello then learn it quickly because the centre is one of the best in the world.
At 23, Menoncello is world class and his partnership with flyhalf Paolo Garbisi and centre Juan Ignacio Brex is the key threat to the Wallabies.
Back-rower Ross Vincent has made his name packing down alongside Tom Hooper at Exeter, with scrumhalf Stephen Varney also featuring for the Chiefs.
Gonzalo Quesada has been tasked with turning Italy into a genuine powerhouse after the Argentinian joined from Stade Français.
The former Los Pumas flyhalf has been a revelation since his appointment in 2024, helping them to their first-ever win over England and avoiding finishing last in back-to-back Six Nations campaigns for the first time in their history.
Most recently, Italy has been somewhat of a bogey team for the Wallabies.
The Italians have won the last two games against Australia, including a 26-19 win last year, after nabbing a historic win in 2022.
Before that match, the Wallabies had won 18 straight, including all seven at home.
The two teams have never played in Australia, with the Wallabies winning their last fixture on home soil 40-27 in 2017
There’s one famous surname very familiar to Australian fans: Louis Lynagh.
Lynagh had multiple nations hunting for his services but picked his country of birth, debuting in 2024.
He could form a wing partnership with Australian-born talent Monty Ioane, who featured for the Rebels after starring for Benetton.
1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
3. Marco Riccioni
4. Giulio Marini
5. Andrea Zambonin
6. Ross Vintcent
7. Michele Lamaro
8. Lorenzo Cannone
9. Stephen Varney
10. Paolo Garbisi
11. Louis Lynagh
12. Tommaso Menoncello
13. Juan Ignacio Brez
14. Monty Ioane
15. Leonardo Marin
