Despite Australian rugby's struggles - six straight losses and 19 defeats in their last 27 Tests - tonight's match at HBF Park is a sellout, the sixth in a row for the Wallabies. The ground, with a capacity of around 25,000 and home to the Western Force, has hosted the Wallabies twice before: a win over Argentina in 2016 and a draw with South Africa in 2017. Conditions are mild and dry, with a bit of wind at this comparatively small and open venue.
This is the final Test of Joe Schmidt's two-year reign, which started with three straight home wins in 2024 but has since yielded just eight victories in 27 Tests. A loss tonight would drop his win rate below 36%, adding to Australian rugby's hangover. Italy, who have beaten the Wallabies in their last two clashes (2022 and 2025), have made nine changes to the XV that lost to the All Blacks, including enforced absences: lock Niccolò Cannone (banned four games for a headbutt), fullback Tommaso Allan, and No. 8 Lorenzo Cannone (both injured). France leads Japan 35-15 in Tokyo, and the All Blacks earlier ran in six tries against Ireland at Eden Park, putting up 40 points.
Wallabies coach Schmidt has made three changes, two injury-enforced: Harry Potter and Brandon Paenga-Amosa replace Dylan Pietsch and Josh Nasser. The curious third change drops standout performer Fraser McReight to the bench for local Perth boy Carlo Tizzano, aiming to give home fans someone to cheer and to develop a 'Bomb Squad' finisher culture like South Africa's. Italy's starting XV: 15. Lorenzo Pani, 14. Louis Lynagh, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Paolo Odogwu, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Alessandro Garbisi, 8. Ross Vintcent, 7. Michele Lamaro (c), 6. Riccardo Favretto, 5. Federico Ruzza, 4. Giulio Marini, 3. Marco Riccioni, 2. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1. Muhamed Hasa. Replacements: 16. Pablo Dimcheff, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Ion Neculai, 19. Andrea Zambonin, 20. Alessandro Ortombina, 21. Alessandro Fusco, 22. Giacomo Da Re, 23. Leonardo Marin.
Australia's starting XV: 1. Angus Bell, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Josh Canham, 5. Jeremy Williams, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Harry Potter, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright. Replacements: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. James Slipper, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Miles Amatosero, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
Between Bob Dwyer's appointment in 1982 and Robbie Deans' departure in 2013, every Wallabies coach boasted a win rate of at least 58%. Since then, nobody has passed break-even; Dave Rennie managed 36%, and Schmidt sits at 39%. Les Kiss, waiting in the wings, is on a hiding to nothing. Italy, also 0-2 in the Nations Championship, have never beaten the Wallabies on Australian soil but have won the last two meetings. Kick-off at HBF Park is at 6.10pm local time (8.10pm AEST).