Wallabies pull off great escape against Azzurri

The Wallabies held off a fast-finishing Italy to escape with a heartstopping 40-27 win in Brisbane yesterday. Australia looked like they were coasting to victory when Sefa Naivalu scored his second try early in the second half, giving them a 28-13 lead at Suncorp Stadium. But two tries to the Azzurri — both coming directly from Wallaby mistakes — reduced the margin to just one point, and a yellow card to replacement prop Toby Smith put the Italians right in the hunt for their first win against Australia. Bernard Foley and Reece Hodge both crossed for late tries, however, to close the door on the world No 15. In Suva, Fiji secured a 27-22 victory over Scotland, bringing the tourists down to earth after their upset of Australia last week. Ireland beat Japan 35-13 in Tokyo to sweep the two-test series.