Featuring six NSW Waratahs players, the Australian Under 20’s were overpowered by Italy in a 17-12 defeat at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Cape Town on Thursday.
In a match defined by driving rain and strong winds, it was Italy who made the most of the challenging conditions, which were suited to their power game and dominance at scrum time.
Having secured a losing bonus point, the result leaves Australia in second place in their group, with their semi-final hopes on the line in Tuesday's showdown with Ireland.
Running into the wind in the first half, the opening stanza was largely spent with Australia grimly defending in their half of the field.
They dodged a bullet in the 19th minute as Italy inside centre Patrick de Villiers fumbled the ball over the tryline.
It took 27 minutes and sustained waves of attack from Italy before the Australian defence was finally breached, with flanker Luca Bellucci powering over from close range.
That would be only points of the first half, with Italy taking a 7-0 lead to the sheds, and Australia hoping for more success with the wind at their backs.
However less than a minute into the second half, as was the theme of Australia's first game in Cape Town, the TMO intervened and flanker Dane Sawers received a yellow card for an illegal clean out.
Italy extended their lead to 14-0 shortly after the decision, with hooker Valerio Siciliano burying over the line.
Australia finally got their first points in the 46th minute, despite being a man down, as a successful rolling maul saw hooker Ottavio Tuipulotu touch down. The conversion from Harry McLaughlin-Phillips made the score 14-7.
In the 60th minute a bit of trickery from Australia fullback Shane Wilcox put winger Ronan Leahy over in the corner but the attempted conversion sailed wide to leave Italy with a two-point lead.
It was the closest Australia would come as Italy skillfully retained possession and spent the majority of the final minutes attacking Australia's line.
Australia will face Ireland in their final pool game at 2pm SAST / 10pm AEST Tuesday 9 July.
Every game of the U20 Championship is available live, free and on-demand on RugbyPass TV.
Australia U20 12 (TRIES: Tuipulotu, Leahy; CONS: McLaughlin-Phillips) def by Italy U20 17 (TRIES: Bellucci, Siciliano; CONS: Brisighella 2; PENS: Brisighella)
