Australia 57-10 Italia: Internacionales de Rugby de la Nations Championship

Thank you for joining me this evening. I will hand you on to Angus Fontaine, who can celebrate a welcome return to 80-minute form for the Wallabies, who farewelled Joe Schmidt in some style.

“Regardless of whether or not Italy are the best or have been at their best, that can't be anything other than a great performance and result for the Wallabies.†Absolutely Marlon Maton. The first half in particular showcased the upside to this Australian team, and for the first time this tournament the second half did not reveal the same problematic drop-off after the break.

“Clinical†is Harry Wilson's word of the night to describe Australia's effort to end “two weeks of pain.â€

“Pretty poor†is Michele Lamaro's assessment of Italy's trip to the southern hemisphere. It has been a stinker of historic proportions on and off the field.

The Wallabies deservedly snap a six-match losing streak as “Working Class Man†(presumably unironically) rumbles around HBF Park. The second half did not match the first, again, but Italy were a weight division below Australia, especially in the forwards, and were unable to capitalise.

The home pack was dominant, scoring at will from set-pieces near the line, with six tries going to big men in gold, including a hat-trick to Josh Canham. Ryan Lonergan was excellent keeping his side rolling, while outside him both centres turned in eye-catching performances.

The Joe Schmidt era ends with a thumping win in Perth.

Eventually the ball comes out and Australia can run from their 22 to near halfway down the right. Daugunu has been lively since he came on and he slaloms to attract defenders. The Wallabies keep the ball alive down the left, Jorgensen finds an offload, Pollard busts the line hard, Valetini over the 22, and Donaldson can bound through the ragged visiting defence and around the back of the posts! It might be junk time but that was still thrilling counterattacking rugby.

79 mins: A slowly reset scrum at this time of night is just what the game needs.

78 mins: The attempted kick to the right corner from 40m goes dead. The referee should just call this one now.

77 mins: Italy get to work again just ahead of halfway but make little ground through ten phases and have to return to an early penalty advantage.

75 mins: Italy win the lineout, the maul forms, it drifts towards the right corner, straightens up, and Dimcheff crosses for the try! Excellent set-piece execution and the replacement hooker gets the score. Hmmmm. Before the conversion there's a check on the grounding – and it's necessary – because Daugunu's leg gets in the way, deflecting the placement and Italy remain on ten points.

74 mins: The Italian lineout is solid and the maul forms with a penalty advantage awarded early. Play is recalled to that infringement and Italy kick to the right corner.

73 mins: Slipper's replacement, Bell, is instrumental in running Australia out of their 22. McDermott box kicks, Suaalii, wins the tap down, but then he doesn't roll away and Italy get the penalty on halfway, kicking to the right on the 22.

71 mins: Italy get some long phase play in Australian territory but they never threaten to break the shackles and eventually Nonggorr is rewarded at the breakdown and the Wallabies clear.

Meanwhile, Slipper's record-extending cameo is curtailed for an HIA.

69 mins: If the first half was a demonstration of modern fast-paced high scoring international rugby, the second half has not added to the narrative.

The initial penalty is against Canham, then Amatosero gets involved to drag an Italian away from a spotfire, that takes him into the Italian benches, where he is king hit by an Italian in a warm-down jacket! Marco Riccioni, who started in the front row, is sent off! Not that it materially impacts the game, but it's yet another black mark against an Italian side battling with ill discipline.

66 mins: There's some fisticuffs on the touchline as Amatosero throws his weight around, dragging an Italian into the benches, then it all kicks off! There are non-playing staff involved and this will take some sorting out.

Another pushover try for the Wallabies! The penalty is kicked to the right corner, the lineout is sharp, the maul is patient, and Pollard has the honour of driving over the line. It has been a day out for the Australian forward pack, but on this occasion the maul was given impetus by the impressive Ikitau, who has been outstanding.

Meredith drags his conversion attempt wide.

63 mins: Free-kick to the Wallabies at the scrum and Suaalii is quickly into the fray, orchestrating a rapid drive down the right for Potter, then drifting infield to the 22 on the left. Play is called back for a penalty to Australia, allowing Tizzano to receive a well deserved round of applause from his home fans as he is replaced by the impressive McReight.

62 mins: Ikitau gets busy behind a slick lineout just outside his own 22, but Nonggorr is stripped in contact and play grinds to a halt. This second half has become a little scrappy.

60 mins: Italy attack off the back of their scrum feed on their own 22 but as they cross the 10m line Tizzano forces the breakdown turnover. Of course they kick to the left corner. Can Canham get a fourth? No, the quick lineout didn't go 5m.

58 mins: Amatosero, Wallaby 998, is a massive individual, and he almost gets to enjoy a brilliant Suaalii try but he can't bring the ball in after latching onto a clever Ikitau chip over the defensive line.

56 mins: As the referee resets an Italian scrum, Amatosero readies himself for an international debut. Italy attack off the back and make good ground to the left until Australia hold them up on the 22. A long pass to the right touchline requires Meredith to execute a critical tackle on Ioane, after which momentum is lost and Italy cough up possession. Potter runs out of defence at breakneck speed and almost dances around the outside before he's scragged.

54 mins: The benches are starting to be activated, which includes James Slipper, who is now the second-most capped international of all time, behind only Alun Wyn Jones.

Canham has a hat-trick! Nothing fancy from the Wallabies, just reprising their pick and go dominance from the first half, storming their way over from close to the line.

Lonergan pushes the lead to 35 points.

52 mins: Australia have a tap and go penalty 10m out on the left but there's a delay while Ruzza gets patched up.

50 mins: Australia get decent attacking ball for the first time this half but as the maul starts to shear an Italian arm reaches through and slaps the ball out of Lonergan's hands and it's given as a knock-on against the Wallaby. The former Australian internationals on TV say exactly what you think they would, refusing to give the referee or the touch judge any benefit of the doubt for a decision that goes against their team.

48 mins: For the second time tonight Bell is penalised at the scrum and Italy kick across halfway. Garbisi manages a couple of neat inside-out runners as the visitors start to gather momentum but Suaalii and Tizzano bring that to a juddering halt with a superb tackle-jackle combination.

46 mins: The Wallabies are in no mood to engage in a kicking duel and run out of defence to the left. Jorgensen breaks clear and he can sniff an opening but his chip ahead is straight into the bread basket of Garbisi and Italy survive. Then they win a breakdown penalty for an Australian knock-on.

Skipper Lamaro is off the field for an HIA.

45 mins: Italy are awarded a free-kick from their scrum feed just inside their own half. Blue jerseys unfold to the right and start working through combinations with pace for the first time tonight. Austrlaia defend well though and eventually Garbisi is forced to kick.

43 mins: Italy get hands on the ball again on halfway but the box kick is a shocker, launched vertical into the Perth sky and it comes down in gold hands. Suaalii accepts contact on the left, Tizzano is hard at the line, but there's no penetration and eventually a sluggish drive ends with Canham losing possession at the breakdown. The second half wobbles are back.

Oh Australia, not again! Italy start the half on the front foot and Ioane dashes over with intent into the left corner! But play is being called back for a couple of earlier infringements. Was Meredith illegally cleared out? No. Was there an obstruction before the final pass to Ioane? No!

The second Italian conversion attempt of the night strikes the near post.

41 mins: The second half is under way in Perth. Can Australia arrest their run of wretched finishes?

Over in Tokyo, France ran out 42-15 winners against Japan.

This is not a good Italian side but Australia have put them to the sword ruthlessly. The forward pack has been devastating, Ikitau and Potter are busy, and Lonergan has kept the juggernaut moving at pace with the minimum of fuss.

This is turning into quite the send off for Joe Schmidt. The Wallabies are rampant in Perth.

Have the Wallabies scored after the siren? From their attacking platform on the right the ball bobbles through hands like a bar of soap – it looks like three separate knocks-on – before Ikitau touches down. The TMO is patient, reviewing each separately. They don't seem massively convinced either way so defer to the on-field call, which is a try!

Lonergan kicks two more points and Australia head to the sheds jubilant.

39 mins: Magnificent attacking rugby form Australia again. The lineout is short and nimble and allows Tizzano to bust the line. The breakdown is fast and Lonergan goes short side to Wilson on the whitewash. Play comes infield with momentum and Lonergan is over! Or not… he spilled the ball in contact just before the line! Agonising for the scrum-half, but play is called back for an earlier infringement.

38 mins: Australia get the better of a rare kicking exchange and will have the throw just inside Italian territory.

36 mins: Australia kick to halfway then begin a series of phases infield until Wright fumbles anticipating contact. Italy kick ahead and it requires a superb diving intervention form Ikitau to prevent a turnover score. The visitors keep the ball alive and run back into contact but Alaalatoa is too strong in the tackle and Williams too quick over the top and the Wallabies win the breakdown penalty.

34 mins: For the second time tonight the set-piece is slow and there's no momentum to the attempted maul. Play goes infield and a series of blue runners hit the defensive line at speed, but none of them cross the gain line. Then there's a handling error, an Australian penalty, and some flared tempers off the ball. This has been a tough night at the office for the visitors.

33 mins: Ikitau is isolated running out of defence and concedes a breakdown penalty. Italy kick to the right corner.

The lineout is crisp, the maul is irresistible, and Bell crashes over. Magnificent set-piece try for the rampaging Australian forward pack.

Lonergan extends the already mighty lead.

30 mins: The drop-out is won by a blue jersey but straight into gold hands. Australia try to expand but there's an Italian offside and play is called back. The Wallabies kick to the left corner. Copy and paste?