History of rugby union matches between Australia and Italy explained

Australia and Italy have played each other in full tests at rugby union a total of nineteen matches, with the first eighteen won by Australia. Italy achieved their first victory in the fixture in the 2022 Autumn Internationals, some 39 years after the first match between the teams.[1] Australia have met Italy once in Rugby World Cup play, winning 32-6 in Auckland in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. All other matches were Test Matches.

In addition, Australia beat Italy twice in non-Test matches prior to 1983, in games in which Italy gave caps, but Australia, appearing as Australia XV, did not.

History

Australia first played Italy on their way home from European tours in the 1970s, though they were not given full international status. The first encounter was in 1973 when Australia ran up 59 points to 21, but the second was the closest ever, with Italy losing by a single point 16-17. Officially, the first test between the two countries was in 1983, following an Italian tour of Australia in 1981 in which the visitors acquitted themselves well against secondary opposition. They toured again in 1986 and played their first test match away from home. Two years later the Italians were soundly beaten at the end of the 1988 Wallabies tour, but their next tour of Australia in 1994 saw a big improvement with all state matches won and an unlucky defeat in the Brisbane test match. Since then results have generally been convincing wins to Australia, but the one in 2012 was close with Italy unlucky to lose by 3 points.In November 2022 Italy won their first game against Australia 28-27 as part of the 2022 Autumn International.

World Cup History

In 2011 they met for the first time in a World Cup match at the group stage in Auckland with Australia starting their campaign towards the Semi-finals with a 32–6 win.

Summary

Note: Summary below reflects test results by both teams.

Overall

DetailsPlayedWon by
Australia
Won by
Italy
DrawnAustralia pointsItaly points
In Italy111010370160
In Australia7700256113
Neutral venue1100326
Overall191810658279

Records

Note: Date shown in brackets indicates when the record was or last set.

RecordAustraliaItaly
Longest winning streak18 (22 Oct 1983 – 12 Nov 2022)1 (12 Nov 2022 –)
Largest points for
Home69 (25 Jun 2005)28 (12 Nov 2022)
Away55 (3 Dec 1988)27 (24 Jun 2017)
Largest winning margin
Home48 (25 Jun 2005)1 (12 Nov 2022)
Away49 (3 Dec 1988)

Results

No.DateVenueScoreWinnerCompetition
122 October 1983Stadio Comunale Mario Battaglini, Rovigo7–291983 Australia tour of Italy and France
21 June 1986 Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane39–181986 Italy tour of Australia
33 December 1988 Stadio Flaminio, Rome6–55 1988 Australia tour of Great Britain and Italy
418 June 1994 Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane23–20 1994 Italy tour of Australia
525 June 1994 Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne20–7
623 October 1996 Stadio Plebiscito, Padua18–40 1996 Australia tour of Great Britain, Ireland and Italy
723 November 2002Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genova3–34 2002 Australia tour of Argentina and Europe
825 June 2005 Docklands Stadium, Melbourne69–212005 Italy tour of Argentina and Australia
911 November 2006 Stadio Flaminio, Rome18–252006 Australia tour of Great Britain, Ireland and Italy
108 November 2008Stadio Euganeo, Padova20–30 2008 Australia tour of Great Britain, France and Italy
1113 June 2009Canberra Stadium, Canberra31–8 2009 Summer International
1220 June 2009 Docklands Stadium, Melbourne34–12
1320 November 2010 Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence14–32 2010 Autumn International
1411 September 2011 North Harbour Stadium, Auckland (New Zealand)32–6 2011 Rugby World Cup Pool match
1524 November 2012Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence19–222012 Autumn International
169 November 2013Stadio Olimpico di Torino, Turin20–502013 Autumn International
1724 June 2017Lang Park, Brisbane40–272017 Summer International
1817 November 2018Stadio Euganeo, Padova7–262018 Autumn International
1912 November 2022 Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence 28–272022 Autumn International

XV Results

Below is a list of matches that Italy has awarded matches test match status by virtue of awarding caps, but Australia did not award caps.

DateVenueScoreWinnerComments
21 November 1973 21–59Not considered full internationals by Australia
4 November 1976Arena Civica, Milan15–16

List of series

YearAustraliaItalySeries winner
198610
199420
200920

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rugby Data .