LORENCE, Italy: Australia held on through a spirited fightback to escape from Florence with a 22-19 win over Italy yesterday.
Italy came into the match buoyed by a comparatively solid performance against the All Blacks before succumbing to a flurry of late tries and a 42-10 defeat in Rome.
Hopes were high the Azzurri could produce a repeat performance and perhaps come away with a result to be proud of against the Wallabies.
However, in a true game of two halves, it took Jacques Brunel’s side until after the interval to put serious points on the board and start putting the Wallabies in trouble.
With 10 minutes remaining, Australia held a three-point lead at 22-19 and were on the back foot as Brunel made a series of replacements which breathed life into the Azzurri. AFP
