WALLABIES LIMP PAST ITALIANS
MAMMA Mia, here we go again.
The error-prone Wallabies nearly self-combusted against Italy at Suncorp Stadium yesterday in a display that won’t scare any All Black.
The Wallabies were clinging to a 28-27 lead with six minutes to play and prop Toby Smith heading to the sinbin for scrum offences.
The palpitations were sett- led by Bernard Foley and Reece Hodge for a 40-27 win, but worries were everywhere.
Sure the Wallabies tried things, but poor passing, a cheap intercept try for the second straight Test and fundamental errors will mean a 30- point loss against New Zealand.
“It probably shows where we are at, down on a little bit of confidence in some parts of our game,” Wallabies captain Stephen Moore said.
“I thought our defence and physicality was really good.”
The Wallaby forwards were more urgent with ball-running and intensity – as coach Michael Cheika demanded – but then they clocked off.
Even Will Genia was a culprit – he threw a pass to Foley that cleared his head by nearly a metre and sailed into touch.
Winger Dane Haylett-Petty produced some excellent quick hands and support play in try build-ups, but he just didn’t get airborne when a crosskick to his wing allowed Italy to score.
Back-to-back errors kill the Wallabies – what Rory Arnold was doing floating a pass deep in his territory for an intercept try was anyone’s guess.
But there were good elements – Israel Folau is back on a hot streak with two more tries to make six in three Tests.
Flyer Sefa Naivalu scooted 40m like an Olympic sprinter for his try after a lovely pass from centre Rob Horne and flanker Ned Hanigan’s pick-up and pass to send Michael Hooper clear was excellent.
Karmichael Hunt won the role as the midfield enforcer with his headfirst defence and a passing gem that reignited a potent union with Folau.
No debutant this month has done more to deserve a shot at the All Blacks than Hunt, who not only showed his abrasive hitting power but an accurate wide-passing game that has been hidden until now.